Hand-transplant boy sets sights on football
PHILADELPHIA — It’s been just over a year since nine-year-old Zion Harvey received a double-hand transplant, and what he really wants to do is play football.
“I feel happy about my new hands and I don’t feel different,” Zion said at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he had the 10-hour operation in July 2015.
“I like now that I can throw a football further than when I didn’t have hands.”
Zion’s mother, doctor and physical therapists joined him at the hospital briefing.
The U.S.’s youngest hand transplant patient has been going through extensive rehab to learn how to use his new hands.
He lost them and his feet to amputation seven years ago after a serious infection and has leg prosthetics that allow him to walk.
This month, the boy, from Baltimore, showed off his new abilities by throwing out the first pitch at an Orioles game.
Dr. Scott Levin, team leader of Zion’s surgery, said Zion coped with the surgery better than many adults handle simpler procedures. “I’ve never seen Zion cry,” Levin said. “I’ve never seen him not want to do his therapy. He’s just a remarkable human being, let alone child or adult. He has such courage and determination and gives us all inspiration.”
Zion said his wisdom comes “from the two most amazing people — my mom, and my grandmom,” warning his mother: “Don’t start tearing up.” Twenty-eight people in the U.S. have had hand transplants, and 11 had both hands replaced, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Worldwide, nearly 100 people have had hand or arm transplants.
Zion’s mother, Pattie Ray, said it has been a long journey, but now she feels like she is living her dream. “It’s his dream, but it’s mine, too. I’m just living through him, and I’m just here to support him in any way and help him do whatever it is that he wants to do.”
Zion told reporters his mom won’t let him try out for football, and tried to counter her argument that it’s too dangerous by pointing out he’d be playing against kids, not professionals. “My next goal — convince Mom to let me play football,” he said.