She'd Still Rather Have the Arm, But the $6.7M Will Help

$6.7m award will make life easier, but is no substitute for arm lost in botched injection

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 10:21 AM CST

(Newser) – Millions of dollars and a landmark Supreme Court victory is great—"The fact that the justice system worked, it's pretty impressive"—but it's still no substitute for a right arm, musician Diana Levine tells the AP. Levine, whose arm was amputated in 2000 after she developed gangrene from a Wyeth anti-nausea drug, was awarded $6.7 million yesterday. She has long struggled with the loss of her livelihood and the challenges of life with only one hand.

"Nobody, nobody understands what it's like to just operate with one hand," said Levine, who lives alone in rural Vermont. "Everything you do requires two hands, even when you think you only need one." Levine, who broke down in tears of joy when she heard the ruling, plans to adapt her home and get a new prosthetic with the money—as well as work her way out of depression.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (2)]

Diana Levine is interviewed at her home in Marshfield, Vt., Wednesday, March 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Diana Levine reacts to a Supreme Court ruling at her home in Marshfield, Vt., Wednesday, March 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Diana Levine gets a hug from Kristin Fletcher at her home in Marshfield, Vt., Wednesday, March 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Diana Levine reflects upon a Supreme Court ruling at her home in Marshfield, Vt., Wednesday, March 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

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People say that: 'I would give my right arm.' They might even say 'I would give my right arm for $6 million.' I say I would give $6 million for MY right arm. I'd much rather have that. - Diana Levine

It basically took away my whole musical identity. I'd been playing music for 30 years, working with kids, writing songs. I played guitar, piano, bass in a rock band. I couldn't do any of those things anymore. - Diana Levine

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She'd Still Rather Have the Arm, But the $6.7M Will Help