ON A typical night after work, 20-year-old Joe DiMeo, from New Jersey, was driving back home from his shift when he fell asleep at the wheel.
The accident in 2018 left Joe with third-degree burns over 80% of his body. As a result, his fingertips were amputated and he also lost his lips and eyelids. Joe spent months in a coma and had to undergo more than 20 reconstructive surgeries.
After consulting with a leading surgeon at NYU Langone Health, Joe became the first person in the world to receive a full face and double hand transplant, which gave him a second chance at life.
Four years after the car crash, Joe, who lives with his girlfriend Jessica, is continuing his rehabilitation and feels hopeful about the future. He now wants to inspire more people by sharing his journey on social media.