Charla Nash, who was attacked by a friend's 200-pound chimpanzee in February 2009, revealed her badly mauled face for the first time on the Oprah Winfrey show Wednesday. The revelation was "on her terms," Oprah repeatedly stated.
Nash lost her eyes, nose, lips and both hands in the attack. She currently lives at the Cleveland Clinic, where the world's first face transplant was performed last December. She drinks all of her meals with a straw though a small hole where her mouth used to be, Oprah said.
She wears a veil in public because she doesn't want to frighten other people, she said, but she doesn't really know what she looks like. She told Oprah that she doesn't touch her face because she doesn't really want to feel the full extent of her injuries:
I'm the same person I've always been. I just look different. There are things that happen to you in life that you can't change. You know, it's a tragedy."
Fortunately she doesn't feel any pain. She told Oprah her face feels like there are gauze strips on it.
Fortunately, 56-year-old Nash doesn't remember the attack -- and she doesn't want to. She told Oprah she doesn't want to have nightmares about it. She told Oprah she just wants the world to know that exotic animals are very dangerous and shouldn't be kept as pets.
Meanwhile, Nash's daughter's prom is coming up. Like all moms, she'd like to help select the prom dress, she said. But first, she needs to continue to get healthy.
Would you like to help?
- Send a card to Charla at charlanash@earthlink.net or mail cards in care of Stephen and Michael Nash, 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124, Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124.
- Visit Friends of Charlie Nash online.
- Donate to the Charla Nash Trust online.
Here's a video from the Oprah show:
Comments
I am praying and believing God for many mircles to happen in your life!
Charla,
Your bravery and determination to fully survive and recover from this tragedy is a great inspiration to all those who know your story and are dealing with their own traumatic events. Thank you for reminding us of the power of the human spirit and the beauty that resides in all of us! I will continue to pray for you and your family.
i can't believe that that had to happen to such a nice kind sounding person,you were really brave to go through with your operation like you did you an inspiration to me and it reality smacked me right in the face letting me know that my life is nothing comared to what you had to go through i give my prayers to you you are an intelligent person just because of how your life is now don't meaN let your life go to waste this must have happened for a good cause
omg i cant believe that somthing lyke this could haPPEN to someone out of the blue bt my heart goes out to her and her family
i wish the BEST of luck for you and your family.You are so brave to show people that youre not afraid to show your face out to the world.Charla , im really praying for you!
my mom has the same situoation...........but she killied herself,best of luck to you charla,you'd be friend to me.
Charla is my aunt... and i dont like seeing her like this.
You are an amazing person Carla and I wish only the best for you and your family. YOu have an awesome spirit and strong will. Best wishes to you. My thought and prayers are with you.
You are such a brave woman and I feel so humble and small compared to you. I know the Lord will be with you every day to give you strength. Your courage is an ispiration to everyone who knows your story. I am so sorry that this happened to you..I realize that you are so much more a better person that I could ever hope to be.
I CANT BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN LIKE THAT; NOW THAT I SEE WHAT THINGS CAN PUT YOU THREW.....YHU SHOULD ALWAYS BE BLESS THAT YOU HAVE A PRETTY FACE BECAUSE I RELIZE IT CAN BECOME GONE ONE DAY....... BHUT I AM PRAYING FOR YOU THAT EVERYTHING WOULD BE OKAY AND IM JUST ASKIN GOD TO BLESS YOU WITH MANY MIRACLES....
Thats one naughty chimp
God bless you Carla.....you are a very brave spirit.
I am so sorry that happened to u. U are such a brave woman. I am so glad that i have a face after i saw that i just wanted to cry and i will never complain again about how my face looks,i will be praying for u.
God Bless you! You very strong women whos story has touched everyone heart. My pryaers are with and your daughter.
im so sorry..........you ar really brave an dkind and have come a long way.......god bless you and may something good come up so you can forget about all your worries....im praying for you and i will never complain about my looks ever again.......
Remember the Pheonix.
God Bless
You are beautiful, inside and out. I am going to say to you, your daughter, and the rest of your family what i say to myself..."God doesn't give you anything that you can't handle or live through, and everything that happens always happens for good reason in the end." God bless you. You are in my families prayers.
No amount of prayer, bravery, or determination can fix this one. It's a right shame it is and I applaud her ability to handle the situation. It's a shame she lost all her vision but let's face it, it's a circumstantial mercy.
You are truly a blessing to the world.You are very strong willed and courageous.I know that the Lord is going to bless you .I applaud you for your courage.You are truly beautiful,and i mean that from the bottom of my heart Charla.
Charla, you can show the world that eventhough this happened to you, you feel no grudge, you are able to love other people and you carry on with bravery on your path of life. You can show us that you can rise above in spirit and be an example for us all. You'll have my support whatsoever, whenever.... love Andrew.
When I saw your face it reminded me that there are little things we take for granted. I pray for you and your family and you keep tellling yourself there's hope in the world.
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