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In 2018, tragedy struck Joe DiMeo when he was involved in a devastating accident. However, his story soon became one of medical triumph and unwavering love, capturing worldwide admiration.
At just 20 years old, DiMeo lost control of his car after falling asleep at the wheel following a night shift.
His vehicle crashed into a curb, caught fire, and veered off the road. Passersby rushed to his aid, pulling him from the wreckage before the flames could consume him.
Their quick actions saved his life, but he suffered third-degree burns covering 80% of his body.
The burns left Joe DiMeo without eyelids, lips, or ears and severely damaged his fingers. He underwent multiple surgeries and was placed in a medically induced coma, followed by months of intense rehabilitation.
Doctors cautioned him about the slim chances of finding a suitable donor. A successful face and double hand transplant required not only a compatible immune system match but also a precise skin tone, gender, and dominant hand alignment—making the search even more challenging.
But DiMeo refused to give up. In August 2020, a team of medical experts at NYU Langone, led by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone through a grueling 23-hour procedure.
More than 140 healthcare professionals were organized into six specialized teams to carry out the operation. That year, NYU Langone Health and Dr. Rodriguez successfully performed the world’s first simultaneous face and double hand transplant using tissues from a single donor.
Seeing his new face for the first time didn’t change him emotionally. In an interview with Good Morning America, DiMeo described the moment as feeling surreal, almost unreal.
Every day, he works tirelessly to regain normal body functions, including blinking and facial muscle movement.
But his transformation wasn’t just physical. In 2021, nurse Jessica Koby came across Joe DiMeo and his inspiring story on Instagram.
“I was just drawn to the way he carried himself in his interviews,” Koby told Newsweek.
He was determined to return to work despite his facial scars, and it was his unwavering sense of purpose that stood out most to Koby.
From the moment they met, their shared goals and values created an instant bond. Their love grew gradually, even as outsiders watched closely and left negative remarks online.
Koby revealed that she’s often accused of being a “gold digger” or “using” DiMeo, but she dismisses the criticism as jealousy, believing that people simply don’t understand their relationship.
Through every challenge, their connection only deepened. On a September 2024 evening at Peter Luger’s Steakhouse, with his parents looking on, Joe took Jessica to dinner and asked her to be his wife.
“Big things going down on December 5th,” Joe later teased on Instagram, adding a bride and groom emoji to hint at the exciting event ahead.
The couple revealed their plan to exchange vows in a private ceremony in Hawaii, live-streaming the moment for their loved ones.
They kept nearly every detail of their wedding under wraps, choosing to celebrate their love away from the public eye.
Despite facing health challenges and public scrutiny, Joe DiMeo proudly shares his wedding photo—a powerful symbol of both his incredible transformation and his deep love for Jessica.
After tying the knot in Hawaii, Joe and Jessica stand joyfully beside their dogs, radiating happiness—a perfect symbol of the new journey they are beginning together.
