SENATOBIA, Miss. — A firefighter who underwent a life-changing transplant is finally home after the extensive procedure.
WDAM reported that Patrick Hardison was able to spend time with his children for the first time in months.
“Pat has been through a lot. People don’t realize what he’s been through,” said Senatobia Fire Chief Gary Copeland.
Firefighters and Senatobia residents lined the streets on Sunday night to welcome Patrick home.
“There were hundreds of people here he didn’t even know,” said firefighter Zander Billingsley. “It was like a movie star stepped out. People crowded him, hugged him, tears. It was tough.”
Hardison was badly burned in a house fire in 2001. After being in a coma, all that was left were holes the size of pins for his eyes and an opening as wide as a straw for his mouth. Hardison later underwent the most extensive face transplant surgery ever done.
Hardison’s family greeted him at the airport with signs reading, “We love you, daddy,” and, “Our hero comes home today.”