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Youngest Face Transplant Recipient’s Story of Hope and Courage

Katie is possibly the 40th person in the entire world to have received a full face transplant.

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Katie Stubblefield is the youngest recipient of a face transplant in the US. She got a new face after a 31-hour long procedure in 2017. National Geographic’s new issue has featured Katie’s inspirational story of courage and hope as their cover story of for September’s issue.

The picture of Katie taken after her wound and before she received the face transplant is featured on the cover of National Geographic’s new issue. Katie’s story titled ‘The Story of a Face’ explores her journey from childhood, her suicide attempt to her surgery and future hopes.

Watch Katie’s phenomenal story here:

Katie Stubblefield was 18 when she attempted suicide by shooting herself in the face. Though she survived the gunshot wound, her face was completely disfigured.

Katie’s surgery was funded by the United States Department of Defense. It was a part of an initiative by the Department to research treatment options for soldiers who were wounded in the same manner as Katie.

In March 2014, after the incident, Katie had lost her nose, parts of her mouth and forehead. But she still survived. She waited for almost two years to find a donor whose face could be transplanted on her. Finally, in 2017, a donor by the name of Adrea Schneider was found to match Katie’s requirements.

The doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio who performed the surgery transplanted the forehead, eyelids, nose in addition to parts of her cheek, teeth, jaw and many other organs.

The doctors said that they had “effectively replaced 100% of the patient’s facial tissue”, as per a report by the hospital.

Katie is possibly the 40th person in the entire world to have received a full face transplant, as per National Geographic.

Speaking to National Geographic, Katie said:

To call my surgeons, physicians, nurses and caregivers ‘world class’ would be an understatement. And to my donor and her family — words cannot express the appreciation I have for this incredible gift.
Katie Stubblefield

Katie hopes to work towards suicide prevention in the coming days.

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Topics:  Organ Transplant 

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