It has been called the most extensive face transplant in history and took over a year to get right.

Acting in the line of duty back in 2001, Mississippi firefighter Patrick Hardison, 42, suffered horrific burns which destroyed his ears, lips, eyelids, hair and most of his nose.

This time last year, Hardison was given the chance to undergo a series of face transplants and he jumped at the opportunity. A year and 71 surgeries later, he is living a better life.

There are no more stares, no more frightened children running away from me. I’m pretty much just a normal guy.

The main transplant surgery took 26 hours long and saw a new scalp, ears, nose, and eyelids as well as facial bones and muscles attached to Hardison’s face.

The parts were taken from a 26-year-old man who had died in a bicycle accident.

His name was David Rodebaugh (right). Hardison is on the left.

Hardison was stoked to feel ‘normal’ enough that he could do activities with his children:

The surgery has truly given me back my life. I go about my day just like everyone else. It’s allowed me to do things with my family that I had not been able to do. I can’t tell you what a sense of freedom it is to even drive my kids to school.

Now, I want to help others to pursue this type of surgery, especially fellow firefighters and members of the armed services. There definitely is hope.

Nothing like the advancements of medicine to help someone out.

[source:watoday]