"I'm the same person who I used to be, but with some cool new hands." http://t.co/ZwVSE4YqJm pic.twitter.com/T0yDLZO8pz
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 29, 2015
Zion Harvey, 8, became the first child to receive a double hand transplant, and he made a public appearance today to say a few words and show off his new hands. But this little guy is wise and polite beyond his years, and unexpectedly asked his family to stand so he could give them a very special message:
“I want to say to you guys, thank you, for helping me through this bumpy road.”
When he was 2, Harvey had both of his hands and both of his feet amputated after contracting a gangrenous infection. He has been using prosthetic feet to walk, but was deemed a good candidate for the history-making double hand transplant. The operation is painstakingly intricate, but the final result ensures that Harvey will gain increasing strength in his new hands, which will grow with him.
He’s an awesome kid who has been through a lot, so when he says “never give up on your dreams,” it really means something. Here’s a video about Zion Harvey from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which made the transplant a success: