When Connie Culp fell victim to a brutal attack by her own husband in 2004, her life was forever changed. The gunshot destroyed 80% of her face, including her nose and cheekbones, rendering her unrecognizable. This traumatic event put her future into question, even leading to her being cruelly referred to as a “monster” by a child in public. However, a life-altering opportunity came for Connie five years later when she received the first nearly complete face transplant in the US, thanks to a generous donor. This 23-hour operation at the Cleveland Clinic was a remarkable feat by the medical team and marked the start of a new chapter in Connie’s life.
Connie Culp’s journey with her husband, Tom, began when they were still in school. Their decision to run away at the age of 16 led them to operate a tavern in an Appalachian town. Despite their strong connection, Tom was not kind to Connie, treating her in ways reminiscent of her father’s oppressive behavior. Connie eventually began to push back against this mistreatment.
But her life took a tragic turn on September 21, 2004, when Tom, suspecting her of infidelity, shot her in the face and then attempted to take his own life. The explosion shattered Connie’s nose, cheeks, mouth roof, and one of her eyes, with only her upper eyelids, forehead, lower lip, and chin remaining relatively unscathed. The resulting damage left Connie partially blind and without the ability to smell or speak, relying on a surgical incision in her neck to breathe.
In 2009, Connie forgave her husband, with whom she had two children. Despite her lingering feelings, Connie knew she couldn’t be with him anymore and decided to divorce him. She saw her new face and life post-transplant as a new beginning and a chance to move on from the past.
Over the next five years, Connie underwent 30 procedures to restore her face, ultimately leading to her being the first person in the US to receive a face transplant. She endured insults and public humiliation during this period but remained determined and hopeful.
On December 9, 2008, Connie received the news that a donor had been found: Anna Kasper, a kind and loving woman whose family felt certain that she would have wanted to donate her face to someone in need. After a successful 23-hour procedure at the Cleveland Clinic, Connie was given a second chance at life.
The recovery process was challenging, with Connie having to relearn how to speak and walk, and rediscover forgotten scents like coffee and chocolate. She eventually returned home, demonstrating an unfaltering spirit and sense of humor. Connie appreciated that her transplant was not just about her appearance but the functional benefits, like being able to eat solid food and drink from a cup.
The face transplant transformed Connie’s life, giving her a renewed sense of self-confidence. Although she was left legally blind with only partial vision in one eye, Connie learned to appreciate herself, dismissing the harsh words of her ex-husband. She regained her ability to speak, laugh, smell, and taste, and even began to date again, truly embracing her new identity.
Sadly, Connie’s inspiring journey came to an end in 2020 when she passed away at the age of 57 due to complications from an infection unrelated to her transplant. Dr. Frank Papay, chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, who was part of Connie’s surgical team, praised Connie as an incredibly brave and vibrant woman who has been an inspiration to many. She remains the longest-living face transplant patient to date and her resilience
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings