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:


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoCouple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It

feel good storiesThese Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless

feel good storiesJudge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams

feel good storiesHungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand

feel good storiesWild Orcas Keep Giving Humans Gifts, Leaving Experts Puzzled

feel good storiesMy Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever

feel good videoThe Funniest Dog Reactions To Hearing 'Walk' — You’ll Be Laughing Out Loud

feel good videoHero Dog Named RAMBO Scares Off Masked Robbers To Save Woman

feel good videoUPS Driver Joins Teenagers On Graduation Slip ’N Slide

feel good video'Two Pure Souls': Dog Warms Stranger's Heart At Lacrosse Game

feel good video'Am I Allowed To Be This Happy?' The Moment A Nervous Foster Dog Finally Lies In A Dog Bed

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me