14 Years Ago, Fireman Had His Face Burned Off. Wait Until You See What He Looks Like Today
#1 A True Hero
In 2001, firefighter Patrick Hardison responded to a house fire just like any other day - only this time his life would change forever. The ceiling of the house collapsed on Patrick and his partners who were carrying out the residents.
#2 The Damage
"[My mask] was melting to my face. My hose [was] already melted." Patrick removed his mask and rushed out of the house, preventing extreme smoke inhalation. But he was left looking like this...
#3 Months In Hospital
After 63 days in the hospital, Patrick was left without his ears, lips, most of his nose. "My kids were scared of me," he recalled. " You can't blame them. They're young kids." Patrick underwent 71 operations in the course of 14 years, hoping to have some resemblance of his old self.
#4 Face Transplant
But hope came after Patrick's friend reached out to Dr. Rodriguez, who'd performed a face transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Rodriguez reached out to the family letting them know he would perform the operation once a donor was found. A year later, BMX rider David Rodebaugh died after an accident.
#5 The Result
26 hours later, and Patrick was now wearing David's face...
#6 A normal Guy
And after months of recovery, Patrick began to heal and grow into his new face. ‘I used to get stared at all the time, but now I'm just an average guy,' he said.
