Actually Ashley , now 31, suffers from a rare genetic disease called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva ( FOP ) . This disease is known as the " stone man syndrome " , as the muscles , tendons and ligaments of sufferers are being developed into bone.

Doctors in the Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk have been built to Kurpiel a prosthetic arm that connects to your torso. A small sensors myoelectric prosthetic arm in detecting small electrical charges that are created when Kurpiel moves a muscle. Some small motors and batteries make the prosthesis meets those contractions , giving mobility.

Kurpiel is just one of the 800 confirmed cases of FOP worldwide , according to the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association ( IFOPA ) . The disease affects men and women equally, usually appears in childhood and those who suffer gradually lose control of the majority of its members.

Ashley is adapting quickly to his new prosthetic arm that allows you to hold a glass , handle phone and eating.