Originally posted January 29, 2013:
Retired Army Sgt. Brendan Marrocco, a quadruple amputee who recently underwent a double arm transplant, talked about his hopes for the future at a news conference Tuesday.
Marrocco lost all four limbs in a 2009 roadside bomb attack in Iraq. He received his arms for the transplant from a deceased donor. According to the Department of Defense, he is one of seven patients in the United States to have successfully undergone a double arm transplant.
Marrocco held a news conference with his doctors at Johns Hopkins, which aired live on The Pentagon Channel. He said of the transplant:
"It's given me a lot of hope for the future. I feel like I've been given a second chance."
Marrocco has no feeling or movement in his hands yet. But plastic surgeon Dr. W.P. Andrew Lee said Marrocco's nerves would regenerate at a maximum speed of one inch per month.
Marrocco told reporters he is extremely grateful to the family of his donor:
"I'm humbled by their gift... Thank you."
Marrocco said he hopes to be able to drive a car again at some point. He also wants to one day compete in a hand-cycle marathon.
When asked by a reporter which actor he'd want to play him in a movie about his life, Marrocco said with a twinkle in his eye:
"Chris Hemsworth. He's got great hair, just like me."
