THE INCREDIBLE TWO-HANDED TRANSPLANT

A British man who lost the use of his hands to a rare disease has had them replaced in the world’s first double hand transplant. Steven Gallagher, 48, suffered from scleroderma, a condition where the skin hardens and tightens. His fingers and hands started curling into fists, he was in horrendous pain and unable to pick things up or even get dressed. After talking with doctors, he and his wife agreed to the operation because he was going to end up losing his hands anyway. The 12-hour operation back in December used a donor’s hands. He’s slowly regaining function – Steven can now pet his dog, turn on a tap and fill a glass of water. He’s hoping to be able to eventually get back to his job as a roofer.
* Good. I was worried that maybe his job was trapeze artist.
* Now that he can give two thumbs-up, he should consider a job as a film reviewer.
* Good thing they had a donor lined up. That was very handy.
* “Mr. Gallagher, your hands are here.” “Well? Hand ’em over!”
* So … those hands are second-hand.
* They had to have three spare hands standing by because after the operation, of course, you have to give a hand to the doctors.
* One problem: His fingerprint situation is seriously messed up.