Child with double hand transplant aims high in sports

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which performed the surgery on Harvey’s hands last summer, said that it may take two years of physical therapy for him to get acclimated.

“I feel happy about my new hands, and I don’t feel different”.

A young boy who was the first child in the world to have a double hand transplant has been showing what a difference they have made to his life.

Zion Harvey ” When I got my hands, it’s like, here’s the piece of my life that was missing. Zion lost his hands and feet after contracting a life-threatening infection as a toddler.

Zion’s mom knows her son’s “hands are going to be used in great ways”.

Zion’s progress has been unbelievable.

When his mom Pattie Ray talks about him, you see the pride in her eyes, but you also see her strength.

He was able to write a Christmas wish-list in time for the holidays and even do some arm-wrestling, Levin told ABC News. “I just want to write a letter to the parents for giving me their son’s hands because they didn’t have to do that if they didn’t want to”.

Zion told reporters his mom won’t let him try out for football, and tried to counter her argument that it’s too unsafe by pointing out he’d be playing against little kids, not professionals.

His mother, Pattie Ray, said it’s been a long journey but now she feels like she is living her dream. He wants to play football!

His surgeon, Dr. L. Scott Levin said, “His brain says for his hands to move and they move”.

Although he’s just 9, Zion is already hoping that his story will help other kids who’re struggling with health problems or other difficulties.

“Without my mom, I would not be right here right now”, he says.