In 2012, Norris made news when he had a complete face transplant. This was the outcome of a 36-hour procedure in which tissue from a donor was used to replace the damaged skin and fractured bones on Norris’ face. Now, he is telling his experience in a book titled “The Two Faces of Richard,” which is highlighted by black and white photographs of his incredible metamorphosis that have never been seen before.
Coos Hamburger, a photographer and the author of a book that was only recently made available as an e-book on Amazon, described his work as demonstrating “that it is possible to go through hell and come out on the other side.”
The events of the narrative began on September 10, 1997, when Norris was moving a Remington 12-gauge pump shotgun in a weapons cabinet when the shotgun discharged and hit him in the face.
“Richard’s memory of the details was virtually obliterated along with his chin, jaws, mouth, nose, and tongue,” Coos wrote in his book, detailing the horrifying accident that left Norris in a medically-induced coma as surgeons rushed to save his life and save fragments of his face. The tragedy caused Norris to be placed in a coma so that physicians could work to preserve his life and salvage portions of his face. “As he gradually recovered in the hospital weeks later, all he can remember is a hazy fog of thoughts strung together like a cobweb,”
When Norris came to after undergoing a number of operations to heal the almost fatal damage, he was astounded by what he saw and couldn’t believe it.
Norris stated in the book that “the high ballistic shot had removed everything from just at the center of my eyes to the bottom of my chin,” and this was the range of damage caused by the bullet. “For a very long period, I didn’t even want to look in the mirror to see how my face seemed. I didn’t want to experience that, and I certainly didn’t want other people to see me in that state.
Norris said in the book that there were moments when he thought that ending his own life was “the best option.” He added that he “fell into a recluse state.”
“I would always walk with my head held low, my face covered up with a surgical mask, trying to hide from the world,” he recounted. “I was always trying to protect myself from the outside world.” “I would only go shopping at stores where I was familiar with the people who worked there, or I would wait until late at night when there were fewer people in the area,” she said.
“The best part of my day was when I was asleep and living in a normal world,” he continued. “I was able to forget about everything that was going on around me.”
In 2011, when Hamburger was researching on a book on shock trauma at the University of Maryland Medical Center, he had the opportunity to meet Norris.
“I said that every person comes at it from a slightly different perspective, but that a lot of people are motivated to share their story in the hopes that it will prevent somebody else from having to go through what they went through,” she added.
Norris, who had “virtually no photographs” of himself from after the accident, decided to let Hamburger film his battle in the face of the approaching threat of a face transplant — a pioneering treatment fraught with hazards. Hamburger was able to get Norris’ permission to capture his struggle after convincing him that he had “virtually no photographs” of himself.
“I will never forget standing with Richard in the lobby of a hotel and observing a family checking out. The family had a young child with them.” “Rich was in the process of changing his mask when the girl peered around the corner, and she was just petrified,” Hamburger recalled. “She couldn’t believe what she saw.” I was able to see how much pain that caused him. It was really the first time that I had a feel of why he’d gotten to the point of contemplating a transplant despite all of the dangers that come along with it, including the possibility of loss. It was unsustainable for him to continue living the manner that he did.
Only three months later, in March 2012, Norris went to the University of Maryland Medical Center to have the complete face transplant that had been performed there to that point. His replacement jaws, teeth, tongue, and skin were generously donated by a family who had just lost their 22-year-old son, Joshua Aversano, who had been hit by a vehicle and was declared brain d.e.a.d. as a result of the accident.
“Not only were the two compatible physiologically; similar size faces, same hair color, same skin complexion, and same blood type, but the similarity in lifestyle choices was almost a smile of destiny,” stated Hamburger, who also said that Joshua was almost the same age as Norris when he was involved in the disaster. “The coincidences were genuinely uncanny – but would, in time, offer some comfort to the Aversanos – knowing that Richard would be the perfect steward for their son’s legacy.”
Hamburger filmed the marathon procedure and its astonishing effect. In his book, he describes the moment Norris’ mother, Sandy, saw her son’s new face for the first time and ran to phone her husband back in Virginia. Hamburger was there to chronicle both the operation and the aftermath.
She reportedly responded with “Eddy,” as reported by Hamburger. “He looks like Richard we had before… and he is just stunning.'”
Norris is now 38 years old and has been living out of the shadows for more than a year after the life-changing procedure that he had. He has dedicated his life to assisting those who have suffered face damage.
“He is especially committed to helping wounded warriors, recently afflicted with the injuries and the physical and emotional damage he had come to know so well and for so long,” Hamburger wrote in his book, adding that Norris plans to start a Foundation for Facial Trauma to help cover the cost of surgery. “He is especially committed to helping wounded warriors, recently afflicted with the injuries and the physical and emotional damage he had come to know so well and for so long.”
Additionally, Norris has maintained communication with Randy and Gwen Aversano, the parents of his donor.
“Richard is acutely aware of the sacrifice this family has made, not only for him but also for other organ recipients,” said Hamburger. “Richard is grateful beyond words.” “He has devoted his entire life to honoring Joshua’s legacy and carrying out Joshua’s desire to assist others,”