Eight months after Joe DiMeo (24) had received a face transplant, he met the woman of his life.
The woman, Jessica Perez (32), had read about the horrific accident he experienced in 2018, which caused him to suffer burns on 80 percent of his body.
Wasn’t believed – died
DiMeo was driving home from work in the evening when he drove off the road and the car – and he – caught fire.
Since then, he has had a total of 20 reconstructive operations, and he became it first in the world to receive both a face transplant and a double hand transplant.
The face he got had belonged to a 48-year-old man who had died of a stroke two days earlier.
ON TOUR: Jessica Perez and Joe DiMeo can rarely move outside in the sun and heat, as they fear that DiMeo’s body will repel his face. Photo: Jam Press Show more
Fell madly in love
Jessica Perez, who works as a nurse, reached out to DiMeo on Instagram.
Since then, it has been just the two of them, reports the news agency Jam Press.
– Ever since the first phone call, Joe has been very special to me, she says.
BEFORE: Joe DiMeo in a selfie before the dramatic accident. Photo: Joe DiMeo/Instagram Show more
Fell head over heels
In 2018, she lived in Ohio and he in New Jersey, which is 80 miles apart.
– We talked on the phone every day, and I fell in love with him the first time I hugged him.
THE FIRST IN THE WORLD: Joe DiMeo pictured during a hospital examination in 2021. Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP Show more
Knows what he wants
Perez doesn’t spare words of praise when describing her boyfriend:
– He is sweet, kind and considerate. He knows what he wants – and we want the same.
TOUGH FIGHT: In addition to the face and double hand transplants, Joe DiMeo has undergone 20 reconstructive surgeries since the accident in 2018. Photo: Joe diMeo/Instagram Show more
– I feel like a punching bag
Perez says that the couple constantly experience being harassed by strangers, both online and on the street.
The two constantly post everyday videos on TikTok, where they have over 50,000 followers.
– I get a lot of hate online. I feel like a punching bag, she says.
Never seen anything like it
Perez claims that many people think she is a “gold digger” who wants to be with a man who is constantly watching TV in connection with the face transplant.
– People say I just want attention, and say I’m fake. The disrespect is absolutely insane, she says.
ON TV: Joe DiMeo on “Good Morning America”, where he talks about the face transplant. Photo: Screenshot Show more
Ask what is wrong
When the couple are out on the street, they get a lot of attention from curious passers-by.
– People stare. Sometimes it’s funny. Once a man gave Joe a thumbs up. Teenagers can be rude and ask what’s wrong with the face, she says.
While Perez takes care of the stares and comments, her boyfriend doesn’t care.
– Joe doesn’t care, while I wonder how badly people have been brought up, she says.
HAPPY: Joe DiMeo and Jessica Perez, here together with an alpaca, are ready for both house, child and puppy. Photo: Joe DiMeo/Instagram Show more
Ready for establishment
Now Jessica Perez and Joe DiMeo dream of having children together.
– I am looking forward to buying a house and starting a family. We also want a puppy, she concludes.
2023-08-10 18:14:02
#Fell #heels #People #stare
