Firefighter suffers third-degree burns – this is him 7 years later

Patrick Hardison, a former volunteer firefighter from Mississippi, suffered catastrophic injuries while trying to save a woman from a burning home in 2001. As the house collapsed around him, Patrick was left with third-degree burns covering his entire face and scalp. He lost his ears, lips, most of his nose, and even his eyelids.

For years, Patrick lived behind sunglasses, a baseball cap, and prosthetic ears. Children were scared of him. Strangers stared. But in 2015, everything changed—thanks to a groundbreaking face transplant, the most extensive one ever attempted.

Life Before the Fire

Patrick was like any other devoted father—he attended his kids’ sporting events, volunteered in his community, and lived a life centered around family. That all changed one day in 2001 when he responded to a fire and became trapped inside the burning home.

“I remember my mask melting to my face,” Patrick later recalled. “My hose was already melted. I had to escape through a window.”

He survived, but just barely. His burns were so severe that even his fellow firefighters were stunned he lived.

“I’ve never seen anyone burned that badly who was still alive,” said his friend and fellow first responder Jimmy Neal.

After over 70 surgeries, Patrick still couldn’t smile, blink, or close his eyes properly. The emotional pain was as intense as the physical trauma. “You never got a day off from the injury,” he said. “You’d go out in public and feel like a monster.”

A Glimmer of Hope

Face transplant surgeries were still rare and experimental when Patrick started exploring the option. In 2005, the world’s first partial face transplant was completed in France. Patrick’s odds didn’t look great, but eventually he connected with Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

It took a year to find a suitable donor. The face that changed Patrick’s life came from 26-year-old David Rodebaugh, a young man who had died following a bike accident. His mother, Nancy Millar, made the selfless decision to donate David’s organs—and his face.

Nancy said she knew instantly that Patrick was the right recipient: “David wanted to be a firefighter. When I heard Patrick was one, I knew it was meant to be.”

The Most Complex Face Transplant Ever

With a team of over 100 doctors, nurses, and medical staff, Dr. Rodriguez led a 26-hour operation to give Patrick a new face, including eyelids, ears, scalp, and parts of the skull and nose. The procedure came with huge risks—Patrick had only a 50/50 chance of surviving.

“I told my kids goodbye like it could be the last time,” Patrick remembered. His daughter Alison asked why he was willing to risk everything. “So I can walk you down the aisle without a hat or sunglasses,” he told her.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success. Though recovery was grueling and full of setbacks—his face was too swollen to even close his mouth—Patrick gradually began to heal.

A New Beginning

Patrick’s transformation gave him back more than just his appearance—it gave him his life.

“I am deeply grateful to my donor and his family,” he said. “They gave me a second chance.”

Patrick also formed a strong bond with Nancy Millar. When they met after the surgery, she had one heartfelt request: “Can I kiss your forehead? I kissed David’s every night before bed.”

Today, Patrick continues to inspire others. He’s building a house, writing a book, and sharing his story to give hope to those suffering from life-altering injuries.

“I want people to know there’s always hope,” he said. “You don’t have to live like I did. There’s help out there—and you can accomplish anything.”

Honoring the Heroes

Patrick’s recovery is nothing short of miraculous—and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible skill and compassion of the medical team at NYU Langone, led by Dr. Rodriguez. Their work didn’t just save a life—it restored dignity, confidence, and hope.