First U.S. Face Transplant Patient Appears Before Cameras

[RamboLiberal]

Source: ABC News

The United States' first-ever face transplant patient today publicly thanked the doctors who performed her surgery after a devastating 2004 shooting incident left her disfigured and unable to eat or breathe on her own.

"Well, I guess I'm the one you came to see today," 46-year-old Connie Culp of Ohio said at a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic, where a team of surgeons performed the surgery five months ago. "While I know you all want to focus on me, I think it's more important you focus on the donor family that made it so I could have this Christmas present, I guess I should say."

The 23-hour surgery, which took place over two days in December 2008, garnered widespread media attention shortly after it was completed. The operation was the world's fourth foray into face transplantation surgery. Culp's identity was not released at the time of the surgery, but today she introduced herself to reporters by her first name.

Currently, doctors are waiting to see how much function Culp will regain as the nerves in the graft continue to regenerate.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7511337&page=1

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Background:

Woman Speaks Out After Husband Shoots Her In Face
Posted: 8:33 pm EST February 25, 2008
Updated: 9:36 pm EST February 25, 2008

HOPEDALE, Ohio -- The injuries Connie Culp suffered on a late night in September 2004 are permanent. Her face is disfigured and she is blind after being shot in the face. By looking at her, the injuries are obvious. The life-changing shot shattered her jaw, cheek and nose.

It all happened during an attempted murder-suicide outside the OK Corral in Hopedale, Ohio. Culp's husband Thomas, shot her in the face from just eight feet way, then turned the gun on himself -- both survived.

Now years later, Culp is back in her home adjusting to a new life style. After being released from the hospital, she spent time in two personal care homes and underwent 20 surgeries to repair her faces, but she still can’t smell or smile.

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During Thomas Culp’s sentencing in April 2005, she not only eluded to the fact that she will forgive, she also said she would possibly take her husband back. When asked that question this time, she answered... “I don’t regret any of that, I’ll always love him, he was my first love.”

Thomas Culp remains in jail and isn’t expected to be released until 2012, when his 7-year sentence will be complete

http://www.wtov9.com/news/15408240/detail.html

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. "I don't regret any of that, I'll always love him,

he was my first love."

She's fucking insane.

And when he gets out in a few years, he can go find her and blow her new face off. And she'll still love him, I suppose...............................

[Alexander]

3. He probably abused the shit out of her long before the shooting.

7 years is too soon in my opinion. Throw away the key.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. Oh, agreed, absolutely.........

Imagine what went on BEFORE the shooting.

This reminds me a whole lot of the woman in New York, married to the guy - Joel, Joel, Joel somebody - who beat their foster daughter to death while his partner, the classic battered woman, was hooked on coke and abuse.

Now I have to go to the google.

Joel Steinberg. The little girl was Lisa. Hedda Nussbaum was his partner.

That's what this woman reminds me of..............

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X375X5MXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg

[LisaL]

11. Boggles the mind.

The amount of suffering this woman underwent after her face was blown off must be unbelievable.
For her to say these things about a man who did that-boggles my mind.

[Xipe Totec]

2. Godspeed, Connie, n/t

[pnwmom]

5. Why wasn't he sentenced to life? It was obviously attempted murder. n/t

[WestSeattle2]

6. That was my first thought too....

seven years certainly sends the wrong message to other whack-jobs out there. At any rate, I certainly hope none of her friends or family accidentally discharges a shotgun into this scum's crotch after he's paroled. That would be a tragic accident.

[liquid diamond]

7. For fuck's sake. What do women see in abusers?

[WestSeattle2]

8. The psychology behind the dramas is sick and twisted....

it baffles those of us who are functioning in a safe and sane world.

[Kali]

9. Alluded!!!!!

"During Thomas Culp’s sentencing in April 2005, she not only eluded to the fact that she will forgive,..."

if she would have eluded him she might not have been shot. That whole article is full of stupid errors.

[BlueJazz]

10. Damn....the shit people put-up with who think they are in love.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Love suppose to be a Wonderful, Joyous Experience?

[Berry Cool]

12. If it's not, you're not doing it right.

Oh, OK, so maybe not wonderful and joyous every single second, but if your love's way of showing how much he cares is to shoot you in the face, there is a problem.

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. It's a four letter word . . .

.
.
.

:shrug:

[avaistheone1]

13. God bless Connie and the medical team that is helping her.

:fistbump: