Chimp Attack Face Transplant Woman Speaks

A woman who almost died after being attacked by a pet chimp has spoken publicly for the first time since undergoing a face transplant.

Charla Nash, a 55-year-old single mother from Connecticut in the US, had her face and hands ripped off two years ago as she tried to catch her boss's escaped pet ape, Travis.

The 14-year-old male chimpanzee went berserk when Charla attempted to coax him back inside the enclosure he had broken out of.

The attack left her clinging to life and with terrible, disfiguring injuries but a pioneering 20-hour operation earlier this year involving dozens of doctors has left Charla with a new face and a new chance at life.

In her first interview since the life-changing procedure, she spoke of her disappointment that her hand transplant was unsuccessful but said she had never given up after the mauling.

"A lot of people tell me I look beautiful and I never had anyone tell me that before," she said.

"I look OK now and I don't have to worry about scaring anyone."

Charla has to rely on the opinions of others, because the attack left her blind and her family have been key in helping her through her ordeal.

Her twin brother Mike Nash said: "I saw her (and) I said 'wow'. It's amazing the miracles of science."

Charla's recovery will take years and she will always have to take anti-rejection drugs, but she is optimistic she may yet get a successful hand transplant in the future.

"I was a little disappointed but not upset because you can't control what's going to happen," she said.

One of her doctors, Bohdan Pomahac, explained it would be a protracted and gradual recovery.

"Nine months to a year is typically when they can control the face and smile," he said.

Despite her ordeal, Charla has much to smile about.

"I think in the beginning, I always wondered 'why me?'," she said.

"But then again, my whole life has not been easy but I never gave up."

:: Extraordinary People: The Woman Who Lost Her Face can be seen on Channel 5 tonight at 9pm.