Neurosurgeons are trying to get the word out that an innovative new surgery can save limbs from amputation. Unfortunately, only a handful of surgeons can perform the surgery at this time. One courageous mother found about about them though. Her 19-year-old son was in a car accident that literally wiped out the nerves in his left arm. While her son was in a coma, the determined mother prevented physicians from amputating.

It was determined that nerves from donors could be grafted into his arm, and about seven inches worth of missing tissue in his legs. His mother turned out to be the closest match. Surgeons took nerves from both of Frankie Anderson-Harris's arms and legs to gather tissue for the surgery. As a result, she will suffer from permanent numb spots on her feet and elbows, a sacrifice she happily made.
 It will be about a year before surgeons expect Nick Anderson to regain use of his limbs. In a few months, they will know whether his body has accepted his mother's tissues. In the meantime, doctors say his mother did absolutely the right thing by preventing his limbs from amputation.