Richard Norris was 22 years old when an accidental shotgun blast devastated his face in 1997.
He lost his nose, lips, jaws, teeth, and part of his tongue. From then on, he lived for about 15 years in Hillsville, Virginia, hiding behind a surgical mask and going out to shop only at night.
In March 2012, a team led by Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez operated on him for 36 hours at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
It was the most extensive face transplant performed up to that point. The donor was Joshua Aversano, a 21-year-old who died after being struck by a vehicle.
Three days after the surgery, Richard asked for a mirror.
Months later, he could eat through his mouth, smile, regain his sense of smell and taste, and go fishing and play golf again.
He will have to take medication for the rest of his life to prevent rejection, but today people look at him with amazement, not revulsion.