Woman mauled by chimp gets a new face

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- A brutal mauling by a friend's pet chimpanzee left Charla Nash without a nose, eyelids, lips or hands. Police initially couldn't determine her gender. Doctors weren't sure if she would survive.

Now, more than two years later, physicians at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston have released the first post-surgery pictures of Nash since she received a full face transplant in May.

"These professionals first saved my life, then healed my wounds and strengthened me to face an uncertain future," Nash said in a statement Thursday.

"I will now be able to do things I once took for granted ... I will have lips and will speak clearly once again. I will be able to kiss and hug loved ones. I am tremendously grateful to the donor and her family."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/11/massachusetts.facial.transplant/index.html

this is a story that offers incredible hope and a nearly unbelievable example of determination, courage, and will to survive. I don't know how many of us would not have given up under similar circumstances. I don't know that I would not....

I can not give enough kudos to this woman, her family and the health care team that first saved her life against the odds, and now is working so dramatically to try to restore her function and quality of life.

This is a wonderful story to continue to follow. I certainly will. :toast: to all

after surgery:

See the Today show video and her before photos to better appreciate how dramatic this effort has been:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/11/charla-nash-new-face_n_924124.html

not for the faint of heart. i would wear a veil also, and you don't get a whole lot more 'in your face' than me.
amazing stuff.

Fortunatly, unlike Kelly Thomas of Fullerton, CA, Ms. Nash is still alive.

Dayum

on the Fullerton, CA police force. Ms. Nash's "before" picture is upthread. This pic is presented for purposes of comparison.

police really did this??

the photo.

The result is better than I expected.

When it happened, it didn't look like she would recover at all.

They are getting good at these types of surgery. Good for her.

have been improvements from the injured face, but still nowhere near "normal"-looking.

This one actually looks like a pretty regular face.