Photo: National GeographicKatie Stubblefield, the youngest American to undergo a face transplant, has a new lease on life.Stubblefield’s journey is the subject of the cover story ofNational Geographic‘s September issue,“The Story of a Face,”and a National Geographic documentary.In 2014, Stubblefield, then 18, attempted suicide after watching her mother Alesia lose her job; finding text messages to another girl on her boyfriend’s phone; and having health issues, including gastrointestinal problems and gallbladder and appendix surgeries.Stubblefield survived, but her gunshot wound damaged much of her face.Maggie Steber/National GeographicStubblefield does not remember her suicide attempt. “I never thought of doing that ever before, and so on hearing about it, I just didn’t know how to handle it,” she toldNational Geographic. “I felt so guilty that I had put my family through such pain. I felt horrible.”She ended up at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where 15 specialists worked with her. “It was not great,” Brian Gastman, a doctor who treated Stubblefield, told the magazine. “Her brain was basically exposed, and I mean, we’re talking seizures and infections and all kinds of problems. Forget the face transplant; we’re talking about just being alive.”Maggie Steber/National GeographicMaggie Steber/National GeographicStubblefield, who has had three follow-up surgeries, will remain on immunosuppressive drugs since transplant rejection remains a risk. She studies Braille, sees a speech therapist, and goes to therapy. She wants to attend college online and raise awareness of suicide.“So many people have helped me; now I want to help other people,” she toldNational Geographic.
Photo: National Geographic
Katie Stubblefield, the youngest American to undergo a face transplant, has a new lease on life.Stubblefield’s journey is the subject of the cover story ofNational Geographic‘s September issue,“The Story of a Face,”and a National Geographic documentary.In 2014, Stubblefield, then 18, attempted suicide after watching her mother Alesia lose her job; finding text messages to another girl on her boyfriend’s phone; and having health issues, including gastrointestinal problems and gallbladder and appendix surgeries.Stubblefield survived, but her gunshot wound damaged much of her face.Maggie Steber/National GeographicStubblefield does not remember her suicide attempt. “I never thought of doing that ever before, and so on hearing about it, I just didn’t know how to handle it,” she toldNational Geographic. “I felt so guilty that I had put my family through such pain. I felt horrible.”She ended up at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where 15 specialists worked with her. “It was not great,” Brian Gastman, a doctor who treated Stubblefield, told the magazine. “Her brain was basically exposed, and I mean, we’re talking seizures and infections and all kinds of problems. Forget the face transplant; we’re talking about just being alive.”Maggie Steber/National GeographicMaggie Steber/National GeographicStubblefield, who has had three follow-up surgeries, will remain on immunosuppressive drugs since transplant rejection remains a risk. She studies Braille, sees a speech therapist, and goes to therapy. She wants to attend college online and raise awareness of suicide.“So many people have helped me; now I want to help other people,” she toldNational Geographic.
Katie Stubblefield, the youngest American to undergo a face transplant, has a new lease on life.
Stubblefield’s journey is the subject of the cover story ofNational Geographic‘s September issue,“The Story of a Face,”and a National Geographic documentary.
In 2014, Stubblefield, then 18, attempted suicide after watching her mother Alesia lose her job; finding text messages to another girl on her boyfriend’s phone; and having health issues, including gastrointestinal problems and gallbladder and appendix surgeries.
Stubblefield survived, but her gunshot wound damaged much of her face.
Maggie Steber/National Geographic
Stubblefield does not remember her suicide attempt. “I never thought of doing that ever before, and so on hearing about it, I just didn’t know how to handle it,” she toldNational Geographic. “I felt so guilty that I had put my family through such pain. I felt horrible.”
She ended up at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where 15 specialists worked with her. “It was not great,” Brian Gastman, a doctor who treated Stubblefield, told the magazine. “Her brain was basically exposed, and I mean, we’re talking seizures and infections and all kinds of problems. Forget the face transplant; we’re talking about just being alive.”
Stubblefield, who has had three follow-up surgeries, will remain on immunosuppressive drugs since transplant rejection remains a risk. She studies Braille, sees a speech therapist, and goes to therapy. She wants to attend college online and raise awareness of suicide.“So many people have helped me; now I want to help other people,” she toldNational Geographic.
source: people.com
