Firefighter Finally Feels ‘Normal’ A Year After World’s Most Extensive Face Transplant

A former firefighter who underwent the world’s most extensive face transplant has revealed how the operation has transformed his life, helping him feel like a “normal guy”.

Patrick Hardison, who suffered horrific burns after a building collapsed on him in 2001, can finally eat, see, hear and breathe normally, following the surgery a year ago.

New face - Patrick was given the face of 26-year-old David Rodebaugh, who lost his life in a cycling accident (Pictures: Getty)

The father-of-five, who had previously been left heartbroken because his own children were afraid of him, said: “Now I’m just the average guy walking down the street.

“People – they can look at me and tell something’s happened, but they would never look at me and think that I’d had a face transplant.”

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Speaking on the anniversary of his life-changing operation Patrick said he is “back to being a normal guy, doing normal activities”.

The 42-year-old, who had 71 reconstructive surgeries before the transplant last year, said: “I get on up in the morning, take a shower and get ready to start my day.

Family - The father of five finally feels like a ‘normal’ dad again

He added: “I’m just a normal dad, and they don’t touch my face and say, ‘Oh my God.’ They don’t think anything about it.”

There have been nearly 40 face transplant surgeries since 2005, but Patrick’s was the first to include a scalp and functioning eyelids.

Performed by Dr Eduardo Rodriguez last August, it took more than 26 hours and gave the firefighter the face of David Rodebaugh, 26, who lost his life in a cycling accident.

Transformed - Patrick said people wouldn’t even know he’s had a face transplant

Since the operation Patrick, from Mississippi, U.S., has taken his family on a trip to Disney World and swam in a pool for the first time in 15 years, as well as being able to drive again.

He said for years he had thought he would die the way he was after his injuries and every day had to motivate himself to face the world.

“Kids ran screaming and crying when they saw me,” he said. “There are things worse than dying.

“Now I don’t worry about people pointing and staring or kids running away crying. I’m happy.”