Joe DiMeo, a New Jersey man, shared his engagement photos with his fiancée Jessica Perez after receiving a face transplant following a severe car wreck that left him with burns covering 80% of his body. The couple received an overwhelming amount of support, with over 2,000 likes on their Facebook post. They were hailed as an inspiring couple who have already made a positive impact on the world.
After his car accident in July 2018, DiMeo spent four months in the hospital, half of which he was in a coma. He then underwent a grueling recovery process before successfully becoming the first person to receive a face and double hand transplant. DiMeo has made progress in using his hands and facial expressions, something that most people take for granted. It was during his recovery that he connected with Perez, who reached out to him on Instagram after hearing his story in the news. The pair quickly hit it off and began a long-distance relationship.
Perez was drawn to DiMeo’s ambition and work ethic, despite his appearance. She admired his determination to return to work even after facing such challenges. The couple eventually moved in together in New Jersey, and Perez has been a constant support for DiMeo during his ups and downs post-transplant. Together, they advocate for organ donation and share DiMeo’s story on social media in hopes of inspiring others and raising awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Despite the positive impact they have had, DiMeo and Perez also face online criticism and hate from people who question their relationship and motives. They face accusations of being a gold digger, having a fetish, or using each other. However, the couple remains unfazed by these comments and focus on spreading positivity and awareness about organ donation. DiMeo, a horror movie lover, has learned to laugh off comparisons to movie villains and understands that his appearance may attract stares in public.
The couple got engaged in September and plan to elope in Honolulu in December. They are also working on renovating their new home together and growing their brand, 80 Percent Gone, which sells merchandise featuring DiMeo’s designs. Despite the challenges they face, DiMeo and Perez consider themselves a normal couple who are committed to spreading awareness about organ donation and sharing their inspiring story with the world. Their love and resilience have inspired many people, showing that true love knows no boundaries.
