Connie Culp facts for kids

Connie Culp (March 26, 1963 – July 29, 2020) was an American woman who became the first person in the United States to receive a partial face transplant. This amazing surgery happened at the Cleveland Clinic in December 2008.

Connie's face was severely injured in an accident. Her nose, cheeks, and part of her mouth were damaged. Before the face transplant, she had about 30 other operations to try and fix the damage.

Connie Culp's Face Transplant Journey

The Groundbreaking Surgery

On December 10, 2008, Connie had a very long and important surgery. A team of doctors, led by surgeon Maria Siemionow, worked for 22 hours. They replaced a large part of Connie's face with a new face from a woman who had recently passed away. This was a huge step forward in medical history.

After the transplant, doctors rebuilt her nose. Connie slowly began to recover. She was able to breathe and eat solid food on her own. Her new face allowed her to talk, smile, smell, and taste food again. She also learned braille because her eyesight was very limited.

Life After the Transplant

Connie Culp became an important voice for others. She worked to help people understand and accept survivors of serious injuries or disfigurements. Her story showed great courage and hope.

In 2010, Connie had her last facial surgery. She gained back much of her facial movement. She could smile and speak more easily. She also started to feel sensations in her face again as her nerves grew back.

Connie Culp's Legacy

Connie Culp passed away on July 29, 2020, at the age of 57. Her death was due to an infection that was not related to her face transplant.

Dr. Frank Papay, who was part of Connie's surgical team, spoke about her. He said Connie was a very brave and inspiring woman. She was the longest-living face transplant patient at that time. Her decision to have the surgery was a gift to everyone. It helped doctors learn more and gave hope to many others.

See also

In Spanish: Connie Culp para niños