8 Year-Old Boy's Revolutionary Operation Has Changed His Life Forever

August 6, 2015

For most of his life, Zion Harvey has dreamed of having hands. Thanks to a medical miracle, it's finally come true.

boy gets double hand transplant

In a surgical first, Philadelphia doctors have transplanted donor hands and forearms onto an 8 year-old boy whose own hands were amputated when he was a toddler due to a life-threatening bacterial infection.

Zion told NBC News that he can't wait for the day he holds his little sister with his new hands.

"My favorite thing [will be to] wait for her to run into my hands as I pick her up and spin her around," he said.

double hand transplant
Photo: The Children's Hospital of Philadephia

A 40-member transplant team led by Dr. L. Scott Levin had practiced extensively on cadavers before attempting the operation - a worldwide first - on a child.

Doctors believe the success of this surgery may have profound changes on the lives of children who are living without hands.

Watch the incredible video below:


feel good videoHis Last Day As A Teacher After 36 Years. They Turned It Into A Memory For Life

feel good stories'I Laughed And Cried': Vet’s Hilarious Condolence Card Brings Laughter To Grieving Cat Owner

feel good storiesThree Brothers Cleaning Out Mom’s Attic Found A Comic Worth $9 Million

feel good storiesTeen Runs His Own Restaurant ALONE — One Of The Most Uplifting Stories You'll Read

feel good storiesPet Owners Share Hilarious Stories Of Paying The Vet… Just To Find Out Their Pets Are Weird

feel good storiesA Man Ruined A Beautiful Snowman Display — What Happened Next Was Perfect

feel good videoDaycare Worker Goes Viral After Dancing For Babies — Their Reactions Are Priceless

feel good videoUnexpected Friends: Rhino And Tiny Deer Play In Snow

feel good videoSheep Escape Herd And Wander Into Supermarket In Funny Video

feel good videoDog And Rooster Chase Each Other In The Funniest Video You’ll See Today

feel good videoDonkey Gets Tricked Into Taking His Medicine — And It’s Adorable