Special Report: El Pasoan to undergo groundbreaking surgery

about tragedy and a shot at triumph. reggie left this morning to san francisco to undergo a first of its kind operation. he’s giving up a part of his body to get something more valuable – his independence. it’s a story you’ll see only on abc-7: reggie is working hard to get his arm and hand strong and working properly.. the 38-year-old comes to highlands rehab hospital several times a week. you see, reggie doesn’t have use of his left arm. reggie suggested his surgeon cut it off. but orthopedic surgeon eric sides refused… reggie: ” i said, ummm. you know this arm is paralyzed, can we possibly use the elbow from this side. and then a light went off in the doctors head.” dr. sides; “my firs thought was to laugh a bit. but then dr. sides agreed and has helped assemble a team to perform the first ever elbow to elbow transplant.. dr. sides: “with the appropriate plannin and the right team of surgeons, we should be able to essentially remove his arm, take the elbow with its blood supply and restore his elbow function.” a team o orthopedic, vascular and plastic surgeons at the university of san francisco’s medical vascular and plastic surgeons at the university of san francisco’s medical center will perform this medical milestone. reggie; “we’re going on a journey.’ the journey will continue in el paso with a team of physical therapists. right now he’s at a point where we’ve tried all the traditional things and so what he’s going to embark on is something brand new. i traditional things and so what he’s going to embark on is something brand new. i asked reggie and dr. sides if they had any doubts about the outcome. dr. sides; “th worse case scenario that we all agree is that he’ll end up with what he has now. nothing lost but nothing gained. estela: but he’ll lose an arm. dr. sides: i always refused and its interesting that it’s become useful to us at this point. although he admits he’s not religious, reggie knows things happen for a reason; reggie: “this i making me a lot more because it’s a gift, not only a second chance but a gift from above as well.” estela: what do you want to do with that gift? reggie: i want to be a knows things happen for a reason; reggie: “this is making me a lot more because it’s a gift, not only a second chance but a gift from above as well.” estela: what do you want to do with that gift? reggie: i want to be a motivational speaker. reggie hopes his courage, determination and optimism gives others hope. he believes this ordeal has made him a stronger man, who can look himself in the mirror and say ” am not a victim”. as he sai himself: he’s got a lot left in him” reggie: “i’ ready to get this process done and ready to go. not only am i attractive i have a lot of humor in me.” reggie, dr. sides and the medical team led reggie, dr. sides and the medical team led by world renown elbow specialist dr. lisa lattanza will scub in for this first ever transplant in a matter of hours. a warning the photos we’re about to show you are a little graphic: earlier this week, the team of surgeons in san francisco were practicing on cadavers getting ready for this medical milestone. they sent me these pictures from the o.r. lead surgeon dr. lisa lattanza tells me the surgery may last up to 12 hours. we wish reggie and his team of surgeons the best of luck. the demolition of a one-hundred year old church is underway. what that