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Chimp Victim Shows New Face in Public

'People tell me I'm beautiful': Charla Nash

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2011 5:49 PM CST

(Newser) – A Connecticut woman brutally attacked by a chimpanzee 3 years ago says she's pleased that her face transplant isn't scaring people off. Venturing out in public these days, Charla Nash is regaining some sense of normalcy after undergoing triple transplant surgery for her hands and face, the New York Daily News reports. “I’ve had people tell me I’m beautiful,” Nash told Meredith Vieira on Today. “And they were not telling me I was beautiful before.” (See the video.)

“I looked like I’ve got eyes and everything," added Nash, who was permanently blinded by the assault. "I’m not scaring anybody.” But she also revealed the hardship of learning that her newly replaced hands had to be removed due to complications. “It didn't really bother me because I was too sick to worry about that, you know? … And then later on, I was disappointed." But she's hopeful that doctors can try again. Her daughter Briana said that "she looks similar. ... I’m still waiting for the underlying bone structure to take some shape on her cheeks. But it’s my mom."

Charla Nash reveals her surgically transplanted face on Today.
Charla Nash reveals her surgically transplanted face on Today.   (YouTube)
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Charla Nash reveals her new face on Today.   (MSNBC)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Rational.-Anarchist
Nov 21, 2011 8:38 PM CST
Incredible story! What was science fiction 10, 20 years ago has now become reality. Cheers and blessings to this wonderful and courageous woman!
Deleted
Nov 21, 2011 6:40 PM CST
I cannot begin to comprehend this woman's ordeal.  I have an extremely healthy respect for any animal larger or stronger than me, which includes not having them for pets. 
anothernewsjunkie
Nov 21, 2011 6:13 PM CST
a hundred years ago, the idea of this procedure would've been laughed at. now, it is seen as a chance at normalcy. who knows what crazy medical ideas will be real a hundred years from now?
 

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