My friend Danny Benner has been given the opportunity to receive a hand transplant at Duke University Hospital and is officially on the transplant list.   His surgery could happen any minute now.   We  met at University of Maryland rehabilitation center in June 2017  while undergoing rigorous therapy to help us cope with our limb losses. Danny, as I, contracted a very deadly form of Strep which resulted in our amputations. His amputations are different than mine, one of which is that his entire left arm and shoulder needed to be amputated.  His right arm, however, is intact but his hand was amputated below the knuckles. He has had countless surgeries which have unfortunately been unsuccessful.   He became a well-deserved  hand transplant candidate after many hours and days of testing at Duke.   Since Danny lives in Maryland and the transplant and subsequent therapy takes place in Durham, North Carolina, he will have to stay close to Duke for almost 4 months. Since he wears two prosthetic legs, has no left arm and limited use of his right arm, he needs help doing just about everything. His wife is taking family leave from work to be with him during this  four month period.  Danny is on disability due to his amputations, and his expenses have been extremely high over the last 2 1/2 years. Having a hand will change his life forever and although the hand transplant is funded by the  Government,  he and his family will have many other expenses. 

 I will never forget how upbeat and supportive he was with me during our times on the “mat” in rehab. Although he was going through the same grueling process as I , he would always encourage me to look to the future.  His incredibly positive attitude and support will stay with me for the rest of my life. Now is my chance to help him  by sharing his story.  Danny has a wonderful wife and a young son who are thrilled that he will be receiving a hand. Especially his son who when finding out his father would be getting a hand said “now I’ll be able to play catch with you Daddy”. ❤️