Eight months after Joe DeMeo, 24, underwent a face transplant, he met the woman of his life.
The woman, Jessica Perez (32 years old), had read about the horrific accident he had in 2018, which left him with burns to 80 percent of his body.
He did not believe – he died
DiMeo was driving home from work that evening when he ran off the road and the car caught fire.
Since then, he has had a total of 20 reconstructive surgeries, and has become so The first in the world to receive both a face transplant and a dual hand transplant.
His face was that of a 48-year-old man who had died of a stroke two days earlier.
On tour: Jessica Perez and Joe DeMeo can rarely move outside in the sun and heat, as they fear DeMeo’s body will repulse his face. Photo: Jam Press
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I fell madly in love
Jessica Perez, who works as a nurse, reached out to DiMeo on Instagram.
Since then, it’s been just the two, reports news agency Jam Press.
– From the first phone call, Joe was very special to me, you say.
Before: Joe DiMeo in a selfie before the dramatic accident. Photo: Joe DeMeo/Instagram
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Head fell over heels
In 2018, she lives 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.
World’s first: Joe DiMeo pictured during a hospital check-up in 2021. Photo: Mark Lenihan/Associated Press
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He knows what he wants
Perez does not spare words of praise when describing her boyfriend:
– He is kind, gentle, and considerate. He knows what he wants – and we want the same.
TOUGH FIGHT: In addition to his double face and hand transplants, Joe DiMeo has had 20 reconstructive surgeries since his accident in 2018. Photo: Joe diMeo/Instagram
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– I feel like a punching bag
Perez says the couple is constantly harassed by strangers, both online and on the street.
The two constantly post daily videos on TikTok, where they both have more than 50,000 followers.
– I have a lot of hate online. She says I feel like a punching bag.
He’s never seen anything like it
Perez claims that many people think of her as a “gold digger” who wants to be with a guy who is constantly watching TV in regards to face transplants.
People say I just want attention, and they say I’m fake. And she says the disrespect is completely insane.
On TV: Joe DiMeo on Good Morning America, where he talked about facial transplants. Image: screenshot
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Ask what’s wrong
When the couple goes out into 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. Teens can be rude and ask what’s wrong with the face, she says.
While Perez cares about the stares and comments, her boyfriend doesn’t.
– Joe doesn’t care, while I wonder how bad people are brought up, you say.
Said: Joe DiMeo and Jessica Perez, here with alpaca, ready for both house, baby, and puppy. Photo: Joe DeMeo/Instagram
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Ready to set up
Now Jessica Perez and Joe DeMeo dream of having children together.
I am looking to buy a house and start a family. And she concludes that we also want a puppy.
“Organizer. Social media geek. General communicator. Bacon scholar. Proud pop culture trailblazer.”
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