In 2018, Joe DiMeo had an automobile accident that resulted in burns covering 80 percent of his body, abruptly altering the course of his life. His subsequent medical adventure extended over many years, beginning with a three-month coma.
At 26, Joe recounts the events that culminated in his groundbreaking face and double hand transplant in 2020, featured in PEOPLE’s “I Survived” YouTube series. Although he was unconscious immediately after the incident, the New Jersey man recalls being able to hear those around him in the hospital. He can also remember the “nightmares” that followed the discomfort of his first burn therapy.
“The experience of being taken into the tank room, where you are cleansed and all bandages are removed, is unpleasant.” The anguish is palpable. “You are envisioning suffering,” he states in the recently published video. “They do not intend to inflict pain; they are merely removing the bandages, yet it remains painful.”
At the time of the mishap, he was 18 years old, and it transpired early in the morning, just after Joe completed a night shift at his employment. He dozed off while driving his Dodge Challenger and regained consciousness months later in a burn unit.
The only experience I had was walking my dog. He died in 2012 or 2013,” he tells PEOPLE. “I thought, ‘This is the moment.’ I presume this is the afterlife, since I am only walking my dog down an interminable hill.
Subsequent to several more weeks in the burn unit, he transitioned to a burn rehabilitation center. Subsequently, he returned to his parents’ home, yearning for autonomy. In an interview with PEOPLE in February 2025, he recalls experiencing a sensation comparable to being a “20-year-old infant” once again.
“My mother completed my laundry, prepared meals, and performed household chores, while I reclined on the couch with my dog,” said Joe. “That was simply not suited to my preferences.”
In 2019, he spoke with Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez of NYU Langone, who assessed Joe as a suitable candidate for a face and double hand transplant. They recognized the operation’s inherent risks from the outset, having previously performed it unsuccessfully on two patients.
“The first individual succumbed on the operating table, while the second one experienced a failure of the hands,” Joe elucidates in PEOPLE’s “I Survived” feature. “However, the possibility of death during any surgical procedure did not concern me in the slightest.”
A news statement from NYU Langone states that over 140 medical professionals participated in the procedure, which lasted 23 hours. Both his hands and face were sourced from a 47-year-old donor.
“The surgery is not flawless, and I initially aimed to achieve perfection.” However, I subsequently saw the need for authenticity, Joe says, contemplating his recuperation.
Shortly after his operation, Joe met a lady who would subsequently become his wife. Jessica DiMeo learned about him from a lecturer during her nursing education and seen a documentary concerning his transplant.
“I recall examining the image of him, both before and after, and contemplating, ‘That is unfortunate.’ He was an attractive man. “That was my only thought,” she tells PEOPLE.
In 2021, Joe initiated contact with Jessica via an Instagram message. Initially, they engaged in a long-distance romance; however, they ultimately reunited and cohabited in a residence in New Jersey.
The pair, who eloped in Hawaii in December 2024, often confront criticism from others, particularly since they have disseminated their narrative to millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. However, Joe maintains an exceptionally optimistic perspective, recognizing that the most challenging phase of his life culminated in the most rewarding outcome.
“I regret having been involved in the accident.” “I have lost 80 percent of my skin and now possess another individual’s face and hands,” he informs PEOPLE during his video interview. “However, I subsequently discovered my life partner, and had I not experienced the accident, I would likely remain an arrogant 26-year-old.” I would rather avoid being harmed, however I like my current existence, particularly due to Jessica’s presence.