Hands transplant a timely tale of hope and courage

Corinne Hutton’s story shows that even in the most desperate of situations there can be hope.

Six years ago she lost her hands and feet after being struck down by potentially deadly pneumonia and sepsis.

At the time, the surgeon who removed those limbs had the foresight to close her wounds in such a way that, some time in the future, it could leave open the option of a hand transplant. And, six years on, that very same surgeon was part of the team that gave Corinne what she had always dreamed of – a hand transplant.

Now our pictures show her able to cuddle her wee boy Rory once again and to hold hands with him as they take a walk in their garden.

This is a story that gladdens the heart amid the doom, gloom, and cynicism of this world that can so often bring us down.

Corinne’s courage and stoicism gives everyone facing dark days some light, showing that you should never be without hope.

Her remarkable story also shows our medical services at their very, very best. Operations that only a few years ago would have seemed like the stuff of science fiction are now possible. Hand transplants, even face transplants, are now being carried out with some regularity giving recipients and their families their lives back. Yes, at times, we can be critical of our health service and, at times, it is fully deserved.

Long waiting lists, public health scares, secretive senior managers and back-covering politicians can make us feel weary.

However, this is one of those opportunities to celebrate those people, from the nurses through to the surgeons, who each day are performing near miracles up and down the country.