Connie Culp, a 46-year-old woman from Ohio, made history as the first person in the United States to receive a face transplant—a groundbreaking moment in modern medicine. Her courageous decision came after surviving a horrific act of domestic violence in 2004, when her husband shot her in the face with a shotgun before turning the gun on himself. He survived the attempt and later served seven years in prison, while Connie was left clinging to life.

The blast shattered her nose, cheeks, upper jaw, and one eye, leaving her unable to breathe, eat, or smell without medical support. Only parts of her forehead, eyelids, lower lip, and chin remained. Over the next five years, she underwent nearly 30 reconstructive surgeries, including bone grafts from her ribs and legs and numerous skin grafts in an effort to rebuild her face.

Then, in December, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic—led by Dr. Maria Siemionow—performed a groundbreaking 22-hour face transplant surgery. Using tissue from a deceased female donor, they transplanted 80% of Connie’s face, including bone, muscle, nerves, and skin. At the time, it was the most extensive face transplant ever performed.

While she still experiences limited facial movement and her speech can be difficult to understand, Connie has regained the ability to smile, eat, smell, and speak again. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her doctors—and especially to the donor’s family. “I think it’s more important that people focus on the donor family that made it possible for me to have this face,” she said.

Connie hopes her story helps break down the stigma around facial disfigurement and encourages empathy. “Don’t judge people just because they don’t look like you,” she said. “You never know what they’ve been through. One day, it could be you.”

Now, with a renewed sense of hope, Connie is looking forward to rejoining everyday life—and cherishing time with her children and grandchildren—grateful for the second chance she never thought she’d have.