Featured Image Credit: Instagram/joeroydimeo
Topics: Life, News, Sex and Relationships, Good News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Life, News, Sex and Relationships, Good News
A man who had the world's first face and double hand transplant has gotten engaged.
Joe DiMeo suffered a horrific car accident in 2018 after falling asleep at the wheel following a night shift.
The young man's vehicle hit a curb and erupted into flames, leaving Joe with 80 percent of his body with third-degree burns.
The severity of his injuries was so bad that Joe had to be put into a medically induced coma for two months following the incident.
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He then underwent 20 reconstructive surgeries while medical experts hoped to find Joe a transplant match.
Fast forward to August 2020 and Joe underwent a face and double hand transplant, which took surgeons 23 hours.
The procedure reportedly only had a six percent success rate, but it went to work in Joe's favor.
Now, Joe, 26, has found love and recently announced his engagement to his girlfriend Jessica via Instagram.
In a sweet photo, Jessica and Joe are standing in a forest together and Jessica is resting her head on Joe's shoulder.
Her left hand is front and center as she shows off her beautiful engagement ring.
"I love you Joe," wrote Jessica alongside the photos. "Can't wait to get married."
The happy couple have since been inundated with congratulatory messages.
One of Jessica's followers wrote: "Huge congrats!!! Gorgeous photos!"
Another said: "Congratulations Beautiful! I’m so happy for you both."
A third went on: "These are beautiful! Hope you guys have a wonderful future."
A different person gushed: "I'm literally crying! These pictures are so beautiful! I'm so happy for you guys! You've gotta set up a wedding registry!"
Prior to their engagement, Jessica made her love for Joe very clear and described the 26-year-old as 'gentle, kind, and courageous'.
"He is quiet at first but very knowledgeable and engaging. I love how gentle, kind, and courageous he is," she said of her now-fiancé, as per Daily Star.
Joe and Jessica have their own brand called 80 Percent Gone, where they sell different types of merchandise.
As per the site, the company is 'dedicated to spreading a message of strength and resilience'.
It continues: "Our unique, hand-crafted merchandise, including Joe's signature designs, supports his journey and upcoming book, '80% Gone, 100% Strong: Rebuilt with Resilience'.
"Each purchase helps share Joe's story of overcoming adversity and empowers others to stand strong."
Products range from $16 to $46 in price.