Just over three years ago, 58-year old woman Charla Nash was brutally mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis, in Stamford, Connecticut.
In an interview with WABC, Charla revealed her face transplant, which lasted 20 hours and involved the support of over 30 medical professionals at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, led by Dr. Bohdan Pomanhac.
Charla, who is still blinded from the attack, told reporters, “I’d like to see what I look like.” However, she still showed her appreciation of the transplant saying:
“Of the family who donated the face of their loved one… Words can’t even say enough. It’s really given me a life back. It’s such a wonderful thing. I cannot thank them enough.”
14-year old Travis was an animal actor who appeared in Coca-Cola and Old Navy commercials. Travis’ owner, Sandra Herrold, was a close friend of Charla up until the attack.
Charla described the relationship between Travis and Sandra as “strange” and “bizarre,” saying they drank wine together and slept in the same bed.
This wasn’t the first time Travis attacked Charla. Charla said the animal pulled a large portion of her hair off in 2000.
Sandra, who died in 2011 due to an aneurysm, sympathized with Travis’ attack before her death saying that he was trying to protect her and was confused with Charla’s identity because of her change in hairstyle.
We are happy that Charla’s surgery was successfully conducted and wish her the best.
