Mississippian Patrick Hardison has a remarkable life story. After a home fire irreversibly damaged his face and neck, this guy underwent the first face transplant in America in 2015.

Patrick’s life had been ideal up until that terrible day in 2001.

When requested to assist in putting out a house fire, he did so without hesitation because he had previously offered his services as a volunteer firefighter. He had just stepped into the burning area when it collapsed, trapping him. Because to the severe burns on his face and chest, he was unable to move.

Upon meeting Patrick after the incident, Jimmy Neal, a friend and first responder, remarked, “For someone who does what we do for a living, I’ve never seen someone that badly burned and still alive.”

Patrick suffered severe burns to his head and face. His head, neck, and upper chest all suffered burns. The fire completely damaged his ears, lips, most of his nose, and even most of the tissue in his eyelids.

I probably didn’t understand who I was until November. Patrick claims that I suffered an injury in September, as noted by Fox News. “They had cut a tiny pinhole in one of my eyes because they had covered everything with a skin graft,” the patient said. I questioned, “Is this it?” as I looked at myself in the mirror. The phrase was, “I can’t do it,” he recalled.

This man underwent more than 70 surgeries and other procedures over the years. Although doctors were able to stitch skin flaps together to protect his vision because he was unable to cover his eyes, he was still in danger of losing his vision.

Patrick’s severe pain prevented him from eating. Since he was unable to see himself in the mirror, he struggled to adapt to his new life. People were staring at him everywhere he went, and he couldn’t stand being around people—not even his kids.

Patrick typically wore a baseball cap and sunglasses to protect himself and blend in. Also, he has fake ears on. The statement “I was a parent.” Simply a bad time, that’s all. I didn’t take any days off because of the injury. It occurred every time you went out in public. He also said, “There’s no way to explain anything,” according to Yahoo! Sports.

“When you go to the baseball field, you have to get ready for the kid who runs away screaming.”

As the years passed, Patrick gradually gave up on ever leading a normal life. But after her pet dog severely disfigured her face, a Frenchwoman by the name of Isabelle Dinoire underwent a partial face transplant. This method was revolutionary. It was the first of its kind. Patrick, who was in reality struggling, surely found some hope in it.

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez of the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York answered the phone when Patrick dialed his number, and he let him know that the transplant process would go forward if a suitable donor could be identified. Although it wasn’t always easy, a donor just appeared one day. A connection had been made.

David Rodebaugh, 26, who had suffered a catastrophic head injury in a bicycle accident and had been declared brain dead, was ready to hop on Patrick’s bike.

Nancy Millar, the boy’s mother, made the decision to give all of his organs, including his face. I told him, “You better keep your face out of it.” We’ve talked about the fact that he’s a donor. His visage is like a porcelain doll, according to Millar.

The chance of someone inheriting her son’s face meant that David would live on via those people, including Patrick’s life, whose lives he was going to rescue.

According to Nancy, “When I met Patrick, I saw in him this power, this macho, burly kind of vitality that David had.”

David aspired to work as a firefighter, and I knew that if he had the courage, he would risk his life by going into a burning building to save others.

The day of the transplant had finally arrived. A group of 100 doctors worked on the operation, which was done over the course of 26 exhausting hours.

Due to the serious danger, Patrick was given a 50/50 chance of living. Thankfully, it was a resounding success. Patrick had his face, scalp, ears, and ear canals replaced. His eyelids also changed, enabling him to blink repeatedly without losing eyesight.

Life is perilous, as Patrick pointed out.

“When it’s your time to go, you’ll go,” the proverb says, “whether you’re walking down the street and get hit by a car or lying on the operating table.”

Patrick saw the donor’s mother when the swelling went down and he was once more able to speak and swallow. Patrick just wanted to give Nancy a cheek kiss.

I asked if I could kiss your brow. Nancy stated. All I wanted to do was kiss David’s forehead, like I used to do when he was a baby, every night before he went to bed.

Patrick remarked, “I’m just grateful. I’ve been looking forward to meeting her for a year. It would not have been possible without her. She has an air of belonging to the family. It was an easy connection.

Patrick has been doing well despite taking anti-rejection drugs since the surgery to prevent his immune system from rejecting the face. He made changes to both his appearance and way of life.

He is currently going through a divorce and is writing a book that he believes would inspire everyone who feels like there is no hope for their current situation. The speaker responded, “Because I want to show the world there is hope.” People who have been in my shoes in the past shouldn’t assume that this is how I must always live. No, not at all. You can accomplish anything, says Patrick.

His survival and recovery are being hailed as miracles. Patrick is a contented guy today thanks to Nancy, Dr. Rodriguez, and his staff, as well as his stubborn resolve.