UK's first person to have a double hand transplant able to write again

The first person in the UK to have a double hand transplant is able to write again after a pioneering operation.

Chris King says he has got his life back after he lost both his hands, except his thumbs, in a horrific accident involving a metal pressing machine at his work.

He was close to death in the ambulance but doctors battled to save his life and enough of his limbs to enable the transplant surgery.

The 57-year-old underwent surgery in July last year, becoming the second person to have a transplant and the first to have both hands replaced.

Nine months later, Mr King said writing a letter to thank his surgeon has been one the highlights since the operation, as well as being able to clap the achievements his favourite rugby league team.

He demonstrated how he can now do a range of tasks, including writing, making a cup of tea and gardening as he progresses even faster than his surgeon anticipated.

He said he is improving every week and his next aims are to tie his own shoelaces and button up his shirt.

Looking at his hands, Mr King said: "They are my boys, they really are."

He said: "It's been going fantastically.

"I can make a fist, I can hold a pen, I can do more or less the same functions as I could with my original hands.

“There are still limitations but I'm getting back to the full Chris again."

Consultant plastic surgeon Professor Simon Kay performed the first UK hand transplant on Mark Cahill at the UK's specialist centre for the operation Leed's General Infirmary and also did Mr King's transplant.

Mr King, from Doncaster, described how he celebrated re-learning how to hold a pen and write again with a letter to the professor.

And he said his handwriting is improving every day, now he has decided he will resume being left-handed.

"When I picked a pen up first time was with my right hand," he said.

"The next time I picked it up it was left. I might be able to write with both hands now."

Mr King said: "Everything's just progressing and it's bigger strides too that I'm making - bigger than I thought I'd ever be doing.

"I think that will be the icing on the cake when I can do my laces, and I don't think that's far off."

He added he is amazed how much he enjoys clapping, especially when cheering on Leeds Rhinos on the rugby pitch, or his football team, Leeds United.

Now he wants to go to a Rhinos match at their Headingley ground.

"I've never been but I will go one day and clap a lot and shout a lot, even if we lose," he said.

Mr King is determined to again thank the family of the person who donated his hands and encourage others to do provide what he calls "this wonderful gift".