© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

2 Years After Double Arm Transplant, Boston Man Is Thriving

Five years ago, when he was 37 years old, the unthinkable happened to Will Lautzenheiser. He lost both arms and both legs to a devastating bacterial infection.

But then two years ago, Lautzenheiser got what he calls an incredible gift: a double arm transplant.

Those two years have been full of daily hospital visits, and hours and hours of hard, tedious work, to get the arms working. But now, Will can turn a doorknob, feed himself, write with a pen and feel the rain on his hands.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young visits Will, and his partner Angel Gonzalez, at their home in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Will Lautzenheiser and his partner Angel Gonzalez at their home in Brookline, Mass. (Samantha Fields/Here & Now)
/
Will Lautzenheiser and his partner Angel Gonzalez at their home in Brookline, Mass. (Samantha Fields/Here & Now)
One of Will Lautzenheiser's transplanted arms. (Robin Young/Here & Now)
/
One of Will Lautzenheiser's transplanted arms. (Robin Young/Here & Now)