Harbor Beach, MI – Derek Hough, a 30-year-old survivor of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is sharing his remarkable journey of recovery, which includes becoming the 18th person in the United States to receive a face transplant. The incident in 2012 left Hough with severe facial injuries, leading to numerous surgeries over the years. Doctors at one point attempted to grow a nose on his arm, highlighting the extensive efforts to reconstruct his face.
After a decade of challenges and 50 surgeries, Hough’s medical team determined that a face transplant was his best remaining option. The complex surgery at the Mayo Clinic in March 2024 marked a turning point, significantly improving his appearance and quality of life. His mother, Lisa, recounted the harrowing night of the incident and the long road to recovery, emphasizing the initial uncertainty of his survival and subsequent efforts to restore his physical form.
Now, in what he describes as his “third version,” Derek is using his experience to advocate for suicide prevention. He travels as a guest speaker at high schools and events, sharing his story and offering a message of hope to others facing similar struggles. Soon, he will undergo his final surgery to receive new teeth and have his feeding tube removed, allowing him to eat solid food for the first time in eleven years. His story has resonated with many, as evidenced by the hundreds of thank you cards he has received.
