NATION’S ONLY HAND TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS TO IGNITE THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE
2001-04-04T16:39:17The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Matthew Scott and Jerry Fisher, the nation’s only successful hand transplant recipients, will serve as official “Thundernators” and push the button to ignite the pyrotechnic show for “Thunder Over Louisville 2001: A Festival Odyssey” on Saturday, April 21.
The honor of igniting the largest fireworks show in the United States has previously been bestowed on several local dignitaries in the past, as well as children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Camp Quality. Last year, the show was started by Matt Marks of Oldham County, who generously donated his allowance to help fund Thunder when the event’s financial sponsorship was in jeopardy.
Matt Scott, at age 37, was the nation’s first hand transplant recipient. The surgery was performed at Jewish Hospital on January 24-25, 1999, by a team of hand surgeons from Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center, PLLC and University of Louisville surgeons in a 14 ½-hour surgical procedure. The Absecon, N.J., native, now age 40, is an instructor at Camden County College. He can use his new hand for everyday living activities, including picking up his two sons, opening a car door, turning doorknobs, drinking from a glass, dialing a cell phone, writing his name and tying his shoes. Scott lost his dominant left hand on December 23, 1985, in a blast from an M80 firecracker.
Jerry Fisher, a 36-year-old Jackson, Mich., native, is the second person in the nation to receive a hand transplant. The surgery was performed at Jewish Hospital on February 16-17, 2001, by a team of hand surgeons from Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center, PLLC and the University of Louisville in a 13-hour surgical procedure. Fisher is a self-employed contractor. He continues to gain movement in the new left hand and the skin, muscles and tendons are healing well. Fisher is able to move his wrist, hand, fingers and thumb in various motions, can pick up and hold objects, and drink from a glass. Fisher underwent amputation of his non-dominant left hand at the wrist as a result of a three-inch mortar firework accident on July 6, 1996.
Said Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry: “The Derby Festival feels fortunate to have these two courageous men who took part in a pioneering medical procedure to act as ‘Thundernators’ for this year’s Thunder Over Louisville. We also are fortunate to have right in our back yard one of the world’s top transplant teams. Their groundbreaking surgeries have allowed Matt and Jerry to perform tasks they never thought possible. Both Matt and Jerry’s injuries were caused by fireworks accidents. We thought it was fitting that these two men – better than anyone – could reinforce the message that fireworks should be left to the professionals. These men are making the most of every day, and will have come full-circle in their ordeals in igniting the largest annual fireworks show in the United States.”
Both men will meet for the first time on April 19th to speak at an Ethics conference, attend the Festival’s They’re Off! Luncheon together on April 20th and then spend April 21st, along with both families, enjoying day-long Thunder activities to culminate in Thunder’s Command Center at 9 PM. They will perform their “Thundernator” duties in the Command Center at 9:28 PM.
Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, will begin at 3 PM on Saturday, April 21, with the Airshow and Foodfest. The fireworks begin at 9:30 PM. Thunder is sponsored by Blue Chip Broadcasting, Caesars Indiana, Ford and UPS.
