Charla Nash speaks out about her face transplant

From left to right: Charla Nash prior to the attack and after the full face transplant. Photos courtsey of the Nash Family, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, by Lightchaser Photography. Photo by Lightchaser Photography

By Deborah Kotz

August 11, 2011

Brigham and Women’s Hospital released the first post-surgery photograph of Charla Nash, this morning and a statement by her. Nash received a full face transplant in late May of this year after being mauled by her friend’s chimp in Connecticut in 2009.

Her are excerpts from her statement:

“Since February 16, 2009, I have been blessed to be in the care of many incredible doctors, nurses, and caregivers. These professionals first saved my life, then healed my wounds and strengthened me to face an uncertain future. They helped me adapt to a near impossible situation where I was unable to see, smell, and move with confidence without the use of hands.

[fragment number=0]Finally, I was given the chance to restore most of what I lost by coming to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Here I received a new face and two hands that will allow me to be independent once again and able to be part of society. Losing the new hands is just a bump in the road of my recovery. I believe that one day I’ll have two hands to help me live as a blind person with confidence.

I thank everyone who has helped me for these last two and a half years.

My journey to recovery continued at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I arrived in June, 2010. Here the medical team, led by Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, prepared me for a face transplant and a double hand transplant. My surgery was successfully completed a few months ago. Unfortunately, the hands did not thrive and had to be removed because of complications developing from my having pneumonia. I thank this wonderful staff for their efforts and I am grateful for all the care I have received here.’’