Daily Mirror

WEDNESDAY 19.04.2023 Felix rides again after arm switch

- BY ANNA WISE BY ATHENA STAVROU

FREE-RANGE eggs returned to supermarke­t shelves as bird flu curbs were eased yesterday.

Since early November, poultry flocks had to stay indoors to reduce the spread of avian influenza.

It compounded existing egg shortages, with some stores limiting purchases.

High energy and feed bills also reduced stocks.

The Government said bird flu risk levels have reduced to “medium”.

But experts warned the disease is still in wild birds.

The British Free-Range Egg Producers Associatio­n, said there is a “sense of trepidatio­n” among farmers despite the new boost to consumers.

The UK’s largest bird flu outbreak led to over 330 cases since late 2021. The risk to people is very low.

SLIM PICKINGS The house

Felix Gretarsson rides his bike

Felix before and after his surgery, and hugging one of his five grandchild­ren

YOU never forget how to ride a bike ... even if you’ve had both your arms replaced.

Felix Gretarsson, 50, had the world’s first double arm and shoulder transplant in 2021, 23 years after a horrific workplace accident.

The former electricia­n lost both limbs when he received an electric shock and fell 32ft while fixing power cables in 1998.

Dr Jean-Michel Dubernard – the surgeon who performed the first successful hand transplant – agreed to attempt to give Felix new arms. The dad-of-two moved from Iceland to Lyon, France, and raised more than £175,000 for the operation.

Soon after the surgery, he was going to the gym, hugging his children and driving.

Now, thanks to a specially adapted bike with foot brakes, he has been able to return to his old hobby of cycling.

Felix said: “I thought I would fall but I haven’t yet. I’m not street-ready but I have a feeling it’s going to be a good summer.”

Next, the grandad-of-five wants to climb the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc. He said: “After 25 years of being dependent on other people, this is a massive

freedom.”

 ?? ?? ON THE ROAD
PIONEER
ON THE ROAD PIONEER
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