The former pub landlord who became the first man in Britain to receive a transplanted hand hopes he might one day use it to hold hands with his grandson.
Mark Cahill, 51, suffered for 20 years with gout which led to complete paralysis of his right hand, following an infection, and left him with limited use of his left hand.
"It made it virtually impossible to do anything," he said. "My left hand I only had half use of and my right hand, no use at all. Everyday jobs, I couldn't do. My wife had to help me dress and cut my food up and everything."
Cahill was one of a dozen potential recipients recruited by Leeds General Infirmary, which had been preparing for the transplant for two years. The candidates were whittled down to two after taking medical and psychological tests to ensure they could cope with the new limb. When a donor became available after Christmas, Cahill turned out to be the better tissue match.
Professor Simon Kay, who led the team that carried out the eight-hour operation, said Cahill was an "impressively phlegmatic man". "If all goes well, within 18 months, I would hope that he has quite a strong grasp, good sensibility in the hand and a precision pinch, which would be a huge improvement."
