Complete Strangers Miracle Face Transplant: Two Lives Transformed

In a ground-breaking medical feat, two strangers, Carmen Tarleton and Patrick Hardison, underwent a groundbreaking face transplant surgery that would forever change their lives.

Carmen Tarleton's Devastating Accident

Carmen Tarleton, a 40-year-old mother of two, suffered severe facial burns in a house fire in 2009. The fire left her with extensive burns to her face, neck, and chest, causing her to lose her eyelids, nose, ears, and lips.

The Match: Complete Strangers, a Miracle Face Transplant, Two Lives Transformed

by Susan Whitman Helfgot

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	277 pages

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For years, Carmen lived in seclusion, struggling to cope with her disfigurement. She endured countless surgeries and treatments, but none could restore her former appearance.

Patrick Hardison's Bravery and Resilience

Patrick Hardison, a 41-year-old firefighter, was severely burned while saving a woman from a house fire in 2001. The flames engulfed his face, leaving him with devastating injuries that nearly claimed his life.

Patrick underwent extensive reconstructive surgeries over the years, but the damage was so severe that he was left with a distorted face and disfigurement.

The Miracle of a Face Transplant

In 2015, Carmen and Patrick were introduced to each other through the Langone Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, a renowned transplant surgeon, believed they were suitable candidates for a double face transplant surgery.

The surgery, which took place in August 2015, was the first of its kind involving two complete strangers. It was a complex and risky procedure that involved removing the entire face of the donor, a deceased 26-year-old woman named Caitlynn Coleman, and transplanting it onto the recipients.

The surgery was successful, and both Carmen and Patrick received new faces. The procedure not only restored their appearance but also gave them the ability to eat, speak, and breathe normally.

Carmen, who had been living in isolation for years, was finally able to regain her confidence and reconnect with the world. She could now go out in public without fear of being stared at or judged.

Patrick, who had endured a life of pain and disfigurement, was given a second chance. He could now look in the mirror without shame and return to his passion for firefighting.

The Legacy of the Miracle

The face transplant surgery not only transformed the lives of Carmen and Patrick but also became a beacon of hope for others who have suffered severe facial injuries. The procedure demonstrated the remarkable advances in medical technology and the power of human compassion.

Caitlynn Coleman's family, who donated her face for the surgery, expressed their belief that her sacrifice would give others a new lease on life. Her selfless act of generosity became a testament to the power of organ donation.

Carmen and Patrick's journey of recovery and transformation continues to inspire and uplift people worldwide. Their story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and miracles can prevail.

Additional Information

* NYU Langone Performs First Face Transplant on Two Simultaneous Recipients * Face transplant: Two patients get new faces in pioneering surgery * Face transplant patients celebrate 5 years since life-changing surgeries

The Match: Complete Strangers, a Miracle Face Transplant, Two Lives Transformed

by Susan Whitman Helfgot

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	277 pages

FREE