A woman who lost all her limbs after contracting an infection and getting sepsis while on vacation in Spain eight years ago is now thrilled after receiving a new hand.
Kim Smith and her doctors were trying for a double hand transplant during the 14-hour surgery, but the right hand had to be abandoned. Despite that, she’s ‘over the moon’ and has declared herself now to be left-handed.
“I was right-handed, but now I just do everything left-handed and it came naturally,” said the 64-year-old. “I have even written with my left hand.”
“I am absolutely over the moon about my new arm, because it feels so incredible, almost as if I’ve had it my whole life.”
The woman from Buckinghamshire, England, even joked how her husband Steve was going to buy her new wedding and engagement rings because the fingers of her new hand were slightly bigger.
“I’ve gone full-on glass-half-full now—just grateful that at least one transplant worked,” Kim told SWNS news agency.
“The hand itself is perfect—and beautiful—and looks like it’s meant to be mine.”
Kim described how she was overjoyed when she first saw her new hand, and has been amazed how quickly she’s been able to use it.
“I honestly didn’t expect to be able to do so much so soon, even though motor skills can take a year or so to come back—four years until I get full feeling.
“I’m already picking things up and managing to clean my teeth, do my hair, and put on my makeup.
“The day after the operation, when they finally unbandaged the arm and let me very gently move my fingertips, it felt absolutely incredible because I could feel myself moving it, and from that moment it has just gone from strength to strength.”
“I was most excited to brush my teeth and feed myself again because holding a toothbrush or a fork—and actually being able to use it—felt like the loveliest little miracle after being told for so long that ‘it might never work’.
“The first time I picked up a glass of wine with no problem and then held an ice cream without dropping it, I was in disbelief at how far I’d already come.”
Kim has pretty much given up on her dream of having two hands, but is happy with her lovely new left hand.
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“While I never say never about a right-hand transplant, I’m 64, now and it would mean waiting another year even to be considered.”
“I’m honestly just happy to have this one for the rest of my life because it’s already giving me so much independence.
“I don’t know who the donor was, but I’ve written to their family to say how grateful I am, knowing they’re grieving and (they) might not reply.
“Meanwhile I’m regaining strength little by little, able to hold my phone, type on it, and wear my Pandora bracelet again.”
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Kim’s transplant was carried out by Professor Simon Peter Jabir Kay OBE at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who commented on the surgery.
“Hands are so much more than mechanical parts, they play an irreplaceable role in human communication and connection, and so it is always an honor to be able to carry out such a life-changing surgery.
“Kim faced unexpected and severe complications during surgery which meant we could only successfully complete one hand transplant, not the double replacement we had hoped to carry out.”
“Nonetheless her recovery has been remarkable.”
“It is heart-warming to see how much her life has changed with her new hand, thanks to the generosity of her donor and their family.”
Kim’s journey of overcoming tragedy is the subject of The Gift, a powerful new Sky News documentary released a week ago. You can watch it here on YouTube, or watch the trailer below…
SHOW PEOPLE HOW TO BE GRATEFUL By Sharing Her Inspiring Spirit on Social Media…