A New Face
Dr. Maria Siemionow had a great quote in Thursday's show about people like Connie Culp who seek face transplants: "Those people are not just coming with such a commitment because they want to be beautiful. They want to be normal. They just want to come back to society as anybody else."
And thanks to her own commitment, an exceptional team of doctors, and a miracle in medicine, Ms. Culp can come back to society. She can talk again. She can smile and taste food. And her facial features are expected to improve further as she uses her new muscles and undergoes future procedures.
It's undeniably an amazing story. While there's no way to understand the horror she went through to get here, seeing her progress makes all of us appreciate how far she's come - and how fortunate we are. I'd be interested to hear what you thought when you saw this story on CNN Student News.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
I never thought face transplant as a way of joining with the community again. I thought untill now that it was just for people who had some accidents to look better. But I know now what it means and, seeing the improvement on Connie Culp I think it is really usefull. I hope many people adjust to the community again in this manner.
It's good if you use it in a way like Ms. Culp did but what if people abuse it? I really think that this transplanting is needed and let people have a better life. (Though I'm rather scared about what will happen it the docter made a mistake while doing the surgery.) I just hope that people use it in the way it is right.
When I saw this on the CNN student news, I thought it was worth it and atleast she thought of leaving her life again rather than loosing hope. It seemed that it was a properly done and it is nothing wrong that she has done it. Lastly, it is all due to the technology that it was been able to happen.
To tell the truth carl, I coudnt realy see the difference even though she had a surgery.
I just hope I wont have to do that kind of a surgeon....
i think that this is a wonderful story and i am glad that we have the technology to do these kind of things
i thought that this lady has alot of courage to have this surgery. I cant really belive that people were afraid of her. i think poeple should just be nice and dont stare. ithink that she was wanting a new face for a long time and she got and it looks better and i thought it was very inspiring.
I am glad for Ms. Culp's remarkable surgery giving her a chance for a normal life, however, I was surprised to learn that her husband only got 7 years in jail for such a horrible crime!
I feel sorry for her, but happy at the same time. I am sorry that she had that horrible accident. I am glad that her surgery worked out for her though.
I feel really bad that this happened to this lady. I feel even worse that some kids are scared of her. But it is nice to her that she was able to have a face transplant.
I'd be glad that i would finally get a new face. To be normal. It's sad seeing beautiful people get hurt for no reason, I guess I glad that she gets to have a face, and I want to tell her that I hope you enjoy it. Be glad that you get a face and that you can be normal. I'm sorry that had to happen to you.
Thatʻs sad, seeing her face like that but its not her fault she got shot. I like that she didn't want to just be beautiful, she wanted to be like everyone else. I think that everyone should have the chance to do that so good job from the doctors by renewing her face.
I feel sorry for her. But I can not believe that someone could do something like that. It is unbelievable.
I was very shocked that such things could happen to a person but I am glad to hear how well she is.
I thought is sad when her face was hurt but now it is good that she can be better and do things other people can.
Everybody yearns to be normal, but most have no idea what it means to be a complete outcast. This woman wanted her life back, to continue with what already began, and this procedure gave it to her. Everybody should keep in mind that it's always darkest before the dawn.
In some ways this is a historic medical breakthrough, but what about the family of the deceased donor. I think it would be creepy if you saw the face of your mom, grandmother, of sister again walking in the streets. I mean I understand transplanting eyes, arms, and organs but a whole face.
I thought about how hard it must have been to show her face in public when people would be afraid to approach her or even look her way. I also thought about all of the pain it takes to get a new face transplant through many surgeries.
Wanting to be normal is natural to fit in with the world. If she can aford the procedure then it is good investment if you ask me.
i think that it would be really kool to get a new face after an acadent like that
i like the fact that she got a new face and that she is able to do what she used to.
Wow. I thought this story was amazing. Going through a face transplant would be truly difficult, and on top of that being on medications for the rest of your life.
I think it is amazing how doctors were able to give that lady a new face.
That must be very exciting to have a new face again and be able to breath better and talk again and eat solids. It must have been an a hard surgery but now she can be back to normal
When i seen this video it made me think if she can now be a normal person again then so can many other people. I think that everyone should be able to be normal and not have people look at them and laugh. I dont think that its right that people have to be laughed at because they are different.
maybe having a new face would be a good experience, for some people it would be weird.
When I saw this story on cnn, My thought was, "wow, I am very fortunate." Also, I felt way bad because just the thought of getting made fun of for something that was an accident that happened would just be devastating. Im glad that she has a chance to get back to her normal life, and that the transplant went well. I hope she keeps moving forward in this procedure and nothing goes wrong.
"Those people are not just coming with such a commitment because they want to be beautiful. They want to be normal. They just want to come back to society as anybody else.” In my opinion every one is beautiful in there own way. It is what's on the inside and how people treat each other that really counts. And for that women to have a face transplant in my concern to bravery. I think she looks amazing. It was such a drastic change for her and to look like she does now is just amazing.
I think that this face transplant was an amazing process and how you can take a dead persons face and mach it to some one else and put it on them and then they have become a new person
Getting a new face is a good thing for some people because they fell like there walking back into the light and not staying in the darkness but it may be harsh getting put on pills for the rest of there life.
wo i didnt think face transplants could happen. Looks like are technology can help us even more.
Her family must be having a really hard time trying to deal with all of this. When I watched the video and saw the pictures i felt sad. I'm sure that the family is very angry and sad. But also happy that they got a transplant.
Thank you mrss dalglish four being the best teacher ever and having us for students In miss dalgishes class we have alot of fun and want to keep it that way
I think it is awesome the doctor had so much wisdom while fixing her
face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it's a great thing that someone decided to donate their face so this woman could be so fortunate as to talk and smell again, but I wonder how the lady feels about her situation. She may be looked upon differently, but what people don't realize is that she will always be the same person she was on the inside as before the accident.
wow
I think that it is good that Connie had gotten a face transplant but no one is normal. There are things that make you who you are, so personally, i don't think anyone is normal. So therefore the comment about being "normal" could have been changed into something else like, "Connie know has a face so she can drink, see, taste, and smell again."
I'll be interested to see how she is treated in society.
I feel really sorry for Connie because I would hate to have kids point and stare and ask what was wrong with me. I couldn't begin to know what that would be like.
Thanks to accidents like these, many people feel very foreign indeed, for most girls, image is what they always want, but after these accidents, all they want is to be respected again, not look look like a stranger of the planet.
I think that connie is very grateful and happy about the transplant. The doctors who did the transplant should be thanked in a very special way.
I appreciate what they did.
Connie has heart to go through this especially by taking anti-rejection pills for the rest of her life
Connie have heart
I believe that Dr. Siemionow had a great point. Most people do care about about being beautiful but for these poor people just fitting in is the most important thing right now. They don't want to be laughed at they just want people to see them for who they are on the inside.
This is a truly amazing story, very sad, but with a happy ending. I saw the look on her face, after the graft, and just knew that she was happy as she has ever been. I also think that it's bad for people to look away from people like that. It's not their fault that what happened happened, and yet, everyone looks at them like it's something they did.
that is so cool i hope she has a great life with her new face.
love ruby
I think it was a great think that she can choose to be normal again and not have to take the harsh comments by other people around her.
She probably went through alot just to get the strength to go outside!
If i had ever had to go through that.. i'd walk around with a towel over my head or a plastic bag.
I think that it would be so hard to have that happen to me, like you can't go in any public restaurants or grocery stores without getting stared at.
I think that it probably was a good thing that she had gotten a transplant because she can have some what of a life now!
I think it's pretty cool what doctors can do these days with face transplants and learning new things in the medical field.
i think its extreme how much we take for granted
I am shocked that Connie Culp even made it through the blast of the gun because shoot gun blast can be very deadly and even more harm full in the face.
I think that Connie Culp doesn't want a face transplant just to be beautiful I think that Connie wants a face transplant so that she can be normal like every one else.
it must have been extremely painful with all the skin grafts
Everyone has their own unique differences about them...and i personally think that she it was good that she got a face transplant. Everyone judges at one point in their lifetime and it hurts your feelings when people talk about you. Everyone has been judged before and to judge someone else is really mean, you should always except that person for who they are inside...not what they look like on the outside.
i think hat a new face for people that have been through something traumatizing is really good. i think its good that only people that have had something horrible happen to them, get the surgery. it would be pretty lame to just want a new face, if you already have a perfectly fine one.
I think that the doctors did an amazing thing. It looks like Connie Culp was very happy!
we think that that is a cool story but bb thinks it is disgusting
thats scary
I think some people can get a face transplant to fit back into society and not feel weird and uncomfortable around people.
that was cool
My favorite teacher is Mrs.Guptill she is very nice and taleted! We do very cool things like right now we are hatching baby chicks! For mothers day we are making pots! We do alot of fun things in the
class room!
Wow, I feel so bad for her that she got shot and had major problems about herself but she got a lucky face plant and recovered!
We think it is great that she can finally be a normal person in life. We can only imagine what she is going through. It must be hard.
MR. CASORIO E PERIOD CLASS IS THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CANTON MIDDLE SCHOOL IS THE BEST SCHOOL EVER CARL THIS RULZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. That is truly an amazing story!
i think that amercia has steped up in technology and is doing well with this new stuff.this face transplant operation could save many lives in the future.and coule save yours and my life.
I heard about this its so sad, I read on aol that it was her husband that shot her. She was really pretty before and I feel really bad, but at least she is ok.
That was a little graphic...but I think it's sad what happened but I'm happy about the end result. Hey, now you know just how smart the human race really is.
This is an amazing story! Technology is really improving. I hope people won't take advantage of the face transplant.
Hi Mrs. PT!
You are an awesome teacher!!!
I hope you have a great teacher appreciation week!
We will always remember you!
Mr.buda and Ms.haygood are the best geography teachers i've ever had
Amazing story. I've been following it ever since you first talked about it. It's not perfect, but she'll get better. Soon she'll look normal after what she has to go through now. It must be very hard to take that medication. Think about how you would feel if you were rejected by everyone, even your own body.
Mr Fisher is so much fun
I have to give props to her if she can under-go a whole face transplant and come out looking like a whole new person is pretty amazing. I couldn't believe not having a nose. When I was little I never wanted a nose, but since I'm older and saw her go out in public like that I now that my nose for granted.
i think people should not care about how someone looks on the outside but how they look in the inside in other words people should think about how someone feels and if it hurts their feelings before they even open their mouthes to give a comment or how would you like it if someone made fun for how you look
i dont think its right when people get face transplant just because they want to be beautiful, because you could be the ugliest person in the world but to you,you could be the prettiest...but in her case i think it was alright to get a transplant.
Oh. Wow. That was amazing. I think she really needed that. Wow.
Carl...I am glad that Mrs.Culps got that operation. For that she can smell,and taste food..just like normal again. I am angry with her husband who got away with that for only 7 years. He should be in there for life! But then again im not whom to jugde one. I think that people dont really care about the simplest things like sight,taste,smell,and hear until something bad like this happens. I am also glad that the Med. team has helpd her get her life back the way it is. I also give props to Mrs.Culps for sticking it through...
-mo
I am prety amazed that a face transplant was even possible. I don't think people should have face transplants just to be beutiful be yourself. but in rare acasions it is needed like in this case for her health. I hope her new face will help her breath and help her life move on.
I say at least we have the technology to help these people. It may not be a necessary surgery but it will give people much more happiness in their life.
This is a shoutout to Mr. Torola! He's the best English Teacher I've ever had, and he actually enjoys his job. He treats us with respect, like we're something other than just a couple of weird kids.
Thanks for a great year Mr. T! I hope That the kindergardners will get to have you teach them when they get to middle school.
A face transplant, thats rough I feel really bad for her.
See what cures we have today!!!
When I first heard this story, all I could think about was how great the nurses and doctors that helped with this operation must have felt. To see a female patient go from having a deformity to her looking like she does now, that must have taken a lot of time out of the doctor's personal schedules! Thanks, guys!
P.S. Carl...we love you!
I think itsvterrivke that something like had to happen to someone who was very pretty. I also think it's amazing what we can do with technology these days. I'm glad that she is able to come back to society as anotmal person.
I was amazed that the medical technology has developed this much for the past decade! Transplantation of skin or any part of the body is not an easy procedure. I send adulation to the doctors who have succeeded in this surgery.
i think that was great, because even though she was in a serious accident she actually enjoys going out in public and is very grateful
thats really cool that they can actually do that. it just gos to show how technology is growing!
I think it is pretty cool how doctors can do with face transplants these days.
When i first saw her new face it was weird but i think if she didnt have breathing or talking probs she should have stayed the way she was.
My biigest concern is h1n1 in America. It is spreading rapidly and could harm each and every one of us. It is a very important issue today in our world. I hope doctors will find a cure.
I just couldn't believe her husband could do such a thing. She was a living breathing person with children to take care of, and suddenly her world was changed by one pull of a trigger.
I think people shouldn't get face tranzplants unless they truly need it. alot of people just get them because they can.
I'm glad that she got another chance to be normal agian. If that happened to anyone I know I'd be really glad that they get another chance.
WOW...
I never thought they could do such a thing! Amazing 🙂
people who get face transplants just want to look normal again.they want to smell,talk, taste just like they did beforethe accident.
Having to go through that must be painfull not only for your face but for your heart. Hope she feels good and getting better!!
i feel realy bad, if i live where she live i would help her
I think she was really lucky to get the new face but its really lucky that she survived every thing she went through.
The new face that was put on that woman was kinda gross but it was better than it was before. That is my blog! Go Mr.George!!!!!!!!!!
i was surprised at first how a woman's face can change like that. now, I feel really good for her transplant. if she can join society again and not being feared, i think more of these surgery should be recommended, of course if the patient is willing to risk any danger that faces infront of them. but as dr. maria said, everyone wants to be beautiful and I think this kind of surgery is okay.
Its so awesome! She doesn't look the best, but it truly is amazing she looks this good.
I think the face transplant is revolutionary.todays technoligy is changing so quik i think its hard to stay up with but something big like this is a huge and people all over the world will hear about this.its fantastic!
I think it is good for her to get that transplant because it will give her confidence to go and achieve great things.
i think the doctors did a great job on her face
I am glad that she got the face transplant, at least now she can smell and taste food like a normal person.... if i either had to live my life without smelling or tasting, or get a face transplant i would definitally get the transplant like she did!!!!
I feel so bad for her 🙁
poor her i dont like her husband! what a meanie!
Even though Carl said "viewers might be disturbed so teachers you might want to watch it before students do" or something like that some people in my class thought it was kind of creepy and some thought was cool but i thought neither i mean its amazing what people can do today and i rather have a face like that then be dead.its truly incredible.
Now a days there is so much new technology and medicine that even this is possible......the world has become a truely amazing place!
i thinik this is great. it is really something special
I was disgusted as I heard what the man did to Ms. Culp, but was so relieved to hear that she was not destined to endure such a catastrophe. I am delighted and shocked that such a surgery was possible and successful. I do hope that Ms. Culp can slip back into "normalicy" soon
The new face Idea is not a good one i mean everyone wants to look pretty but that don't mean everything has to be remade or new or off a dead person and you have to have to take pills for the rest of you life. I wouldn't want to take pills for the rest of my life if i where her i wouldn't risk my life for a new face.
I feel really bad for her i'm srry
I thought it was SO sad, I mean her HUSBAND shot her in the face? Its amazing that she survived and im really happy to see her getting better with the face transplant.
a face transplant sounds un nesesary but it is huge in human technology and is sending the human race forword. i bet eventually there will be bio suits we will all whare. it will make us stronger and faster. bla bla bla
:(that sounds like it hert but good luck
I think a new face would be cool.
I think that it was awsome the way she looked after the apperation. I would do it if I were her.
Wow thats a lot of work to do for one woman. I would be so sad if kids were affraid of me. I would be so scared if I had to have a major sugry like that.
Wow thats a lot of work to do for one woman. I would be so sad if kids were affraid of me. I would be so scared if I had to have a major sugery like that.
Having a new face and to be able to breathe,smell,and eat right would be the best thing in her life to do all over again and to at least do it for the rest of her life I felt so sad for her I felt really bad for her it made me fell like going to her husband or whatever he is to her and SCREAM at him forever just for her.I thought it was SO sad, I mean her HUSBAND shot her in the face? Its amazing that she survived and im really happy to see her getting better with the face transplant.
Hia Carl tee hee. I feel sorry for her getting shoot with a shotgun thats just not right i would hate it if that happened to me i think her husband should be sued for more than 10$ less than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000$ cash sia later Carl
Man that has got to hurt but her face looks really good
Thats good for her to look batter but people will still look weird in sum sort of way, and you cant take the memory away so whats the point
its amazing what technology can do for us now. With it we can do amazing things with it. If doctors can use technology to give a shotgun victim a new face imagine what else they can do.
She is so lucky that she was able to have that surgery done she is also so lucky that she lived threw that surgery i felt so bad for her she was such a pretty ladie.
p.s you are so lucky
I think getting a new face would be cool, then you get to smell, breath, and eat all over again.
I think she is very lucky that she got surjury done on her face because she didnt want to go out of her house at all and she coudnt really taste anything either
She is lucky to be alive and now she can smell, hear, see, and breath. I felt sorry for her because kids would stare and often adults.
WHOA! is what i said when i saw this story. It's amazing!!
I think it's absolutely amazing to see medical science come this far, I mean, imagine what's next!
I'm glad that she can do that stuff again. It must be terrible to not be able to see, smell, hear, breath. I'm just happy for her.
When I read this story i thought it was awsome, but now that I think about it who would want some one else to have thier face?
whoever you are it doesn't matter no one should make fun of you:)