A New Jersey man who underwent a life-changing face transplant after surviving severe burns in a car crash is now celebrating a joyful milestone—his engagement. Joe DiMeo, 26, and his fiancée Jessica Perez, 32, shared their engagement photos on Facebook this week, and the post quickly went viral, receiving over 2,000 likes and hundreds of positive comments from supportive followers.
One commenter wrote, “A strong, amazing, lovely couple who inspire others and will change the world for the better! You already are doing it!” Another added, “Beautiful!!! Y’all are soooo inspiring!!”
DiMeo’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. In July 2018, he fell asleep at the wheel, causing his car to swerve off the road and catch fire. The accident left him with burns covering 80% of his body, and he spent four months in the hospital, half of which was spent in a coma. After months of intense recovery and rehabilitation, DiMeo underwent groundbreaking surgery, becoming the first person to receive a successful face and double hand transplant in a 23-hour procedure at NYU Langone.
Although DiMeo now has about 45% use of his hands, he continues to make progress, including regaining some facial functions like blinking and moving his lips. It was during this challenging recovery that DiMeo connected with Perez, who reached out to him on Instagram after learning about his story.
Perez was drawn to DiMeo’s determination and ambition despite his disfigurement. “I think that his ambition was what intrigued me the most,” she shared. “I always hoped I’d find someone like Joe, and I always imagined it was possible.”
The couple eventually moved in together in DiMeo’s home state of New Jersey, and Perez has supported him through all aspects of his recovery, including a six-week hospitalization over the summer. Together, they use social media to advocate for organ donation, with DiMeo’s story inspiring many others, including one woman who credited him for saving her life.
“I just wanted to help Joe put his story out there, and it really does help a lot of people,” Perez said. “Awareness for organ donation is hugely important.”
While the couple enjoys widespread support, they also face online criticism. Some people have compared DiMeo’s appearance to horror movie villains, while others question Perez’s motives for being with him. Perez responded to the haters with grace, saying, “I just let them go on because they’re jealous.”
DiMeo, a fan of horror movies, laughs off these comparisons, acknowledging that he understands why people might stare in public. “That negative stuff doesn’t bother me. It’s just words, and it’s only online. It doesn’t really affect me in person,” he said.
The couple, who got engaged in September, plans to elope in Honolulu on December 5. As they continue to renovate their new home, they are also growing their brand, 80 Percent Gone, which sells merchandise featuring DiMeo’s designs. The couple’s message is clear: they are a normal couple who are using their platform to spread awareness about organ donation and DiMeo’s extraordinary journey.
“We just bought a house and we’re working on it together. We’re just trying to spread Joe’s story and raise awareness,” Perez said.
