【576期 英語時間】New hands for yound boy

其他
更新時間:13:45 2021-06-09
發佈時間:00:00 2021-06-10

The first child to receive a double hand transplant is still doing well many years after the operation. He can now write, eat and dress himself without help. His doctors have declared the transplant a success, which brings hope to other children suffering from similar disabilities.


In an article from the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, doctors revealed the boy's condition. Zion Harvey received the double hand transplant in July 2015, and was the first child to undergo such a large operation.


The doctor in charge of the operation, Dr Sandra Amaral, who is from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia(費城兒童醫院), says Harvey could do the necessary daily tasks after 18 months. Although Harvey still has to go to physical therapy to increase his new hands' mobility and psychological therapy for his mental health, his situation is improving.


Back when Harvey was two years old, his hands were amputated and he had to receive a kidney transplant because of sepsis. Since then, he has to take anti-rejection medication, which increases the risk of diabetes, cancer and other ailments.


In the article, doctors pointed out that Harvey had eight near-rejections, but the doctors tweaked the medication they were giving Harvey. At the same time, the doctors had to keep that from affecting the new hands' mobility. Currently, Harvey is still on steroids and anti-rejection medication.


The hands that Harvey received were from another child who donated them after death. Even only a few days after the operation, Harvey could already control his new hands. Eight 


months after the surgery, Harvey could use scissors and draw with crayons. Harvey is still going through training to learn how to use his hands for more tasks.


Thinking Aloud
1. What would you do if you lost your hands or feet? State your reasons.
2. Name three ways you can help the disabled and explain why you chose those methods.
3. Would you take medication that would put you at a higher risk of other diseases? Why or why not?


Vocabulary
transplant (n) 移植手術
declare (v) 宣告
mobility (n) 靈活性
amputate (v) 截肢
sepsis (n) 敗毒病
tweak (v) 輕微調整


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