Burned firefighter feels normal again after face transplant
NEW YORK (AP) — A Mississippi firefighter who received the world's most extensive face transplant after a burning building collapsed on him said Wednesday that he feels like "a normal guy" for the first time in 15 years.
[...] I don't worry about people pointing and staring or kids running away crying. .
While there have been nearly 40 face transplant surgeries since 2005, Hardison's was the first to include a scalp and functioning eyelids.
Doctors have since fixed up some features and removed his breathing and feeding tubes.
Eduardo Rodriguez, chairman of Langone's plastic surgery department, said Hardison has not had any issues with transplant rejection, which is due to his medications, his children and his strength.
Rodriguez was recently awarded $2.5 million from the Defense Department to continue face transplant research.