Agreed, it's probably not going to be this guy. However, that will probably be because he's gonna eventually get drummed out of the medical community once he actually does this and the guy dies.
However, I think I disagree about your characterization of the likely outcome here. The bony spine will be fused. Assuming that you can actually transplant a whole body and still suppress the immune system with a standard triple therapy regimen, this guy has some potential benefit even if no motor function actually occurs. When you look at the pictures, it is clear that he has significant issues with hygiene and seating owing to his intense contractures and posture. A supple, if flaccid, body would probably improve his overall quality of life.
That being said, I expect this guy will probably die. This procedure will be novel for many more reasons than just the "new head on body" thing. They're going to transplant an entire immune system and all organs, and for me at least I don't think it's clear that a brain can work with a completely foreign autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. The graft-vs-host would, I think, be enormous. And there are some serious questions about mental health in this setting.
No matter what happens, if he goes through with this, it's going to be interesting. Hopefully there will be multiple objective observers who can at least write this up.
