Patrick Hardison’s journey from a dedicated firefighter in Mississippi to receiving America’s first full face transplant is a story of true resilience and courage. It all began in 2001 during a routine call to extinguish a house fire, which ended disastrously, leaving Hardison with severe third-degree burns that disfigured his face and neck.
Before the tragic incident, Patrick led a fulfilling life, bravely serving as a volunteer firefighter. However, during that fateful fire, the building collapsed on him. Trapped under the debris, his mask melted onto his face, and he sustained critical injuries.
“My mask was melting to my face,” Patrick once recounted the horror. “My hose had already melted.” His injuries were so severe that even seasoned first responders were astounded he survived.
Hardison’s face, scalp, ears, lips, most of his nose, and eyelid tissues were severely burned, leading him to undergo over 70 surgeries. Despite the doctors’ efforts to use skin grafts to restore functionality, the risk of blindness loomed large as he struggled with basic functions like eating, which caused him immense pain.
Self-conscious and in constant discomfort, Patrick often wore sunglasses and a hat to hide his scars. Life became a series of painful interactions, as even being around his children became emotionally challenging.
“I had kids. It was just a tough time. I never got a day off from the injury. When you walk out in public, it was daily,” Patrick shared about his ordeal.
The turning point came when Isabelle Dinoire received the first partial face transplant, igniting hope for Patrick. After meeting Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez who agreed to perform the transplant upon finding a suitable donor, fate intervened. David Rodebaugh, a 26-year-old who suffered a fatal head injury, became the perfect match through the efforts of LiveOnNY.
David’s mother, Nancy Millar, made the altruistic decision to donate her son’s organs, including his face. “I said, ‘You better save his face. He has the face of a porcelain doll.’ And he’s a donor—we had talked about it,” recounted Millar.
The transplant, a 26-hour-long procedure involving a 100-person team, was a success, giving Patrick not just a new face but a chance at a new life, complete with functioning eyelids and ears.
Post-recovery, Patrick met Nancy, who requested to kiss his forehead, a poignant reminder of her nightly ritual with her son David.
Today, Patrick lives his life with gratitude, taking anti-rejection medication and working on a book to inspire others facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. “Because I want to show the world that you can have hope. I wouldn’t want people that were like me years ago to think that’s it, I have to live like this. You don’t. You can accomplish anything,” reflects Patrick on his transformative journey.
