
"The remarkable courage of a man called Dallas Wiens ranks head and shoulders above those of little faith in the capacity for struggle and survival. In 2008, Dallas' head came into contact with a high-tension electrical line and he suffered unimaginable burns which left him without facial features. Not only did he defy the medics and went on to live after emerging from a three month coma along with spinal cord injuries, he survived with the courage and dignity of a super human. Motivated by the burning desire to to hold his two-year-old daughter again, over the following three years, he learnt to speak without the use of lips or teeth, he discarded his wheelchair even though he'd been told that he'd never walk again and he began doing push-up exercises. In March, 2011, Dr. Jeffrey Janis (please note that is Dr. Janis and not Dr. Janus) and Dr. Bohdan Pomahač performed the first full-facial transplant procedure in America, funded in part with the help of the US Defence Department. Dallas also regained his sense of smell.What an inspiration to others who suffer facial disfigurement. Dallas, we salute you." William Forde: July 29th, 2013.