VIDEO: Transplant gives new face to New York firefighter burned in 2001 blaze

A volunteer firefighter, badly burned in a 2001 blaze, has received the most extensive face transplant ever, covering his skull and much of his neck.

The surgery took place in August at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. The patient, Patrick Hardison, 41, is still undergoing physical therapy at the hospital but plans to return home for Christmas.

The surgery has paved the way for him to regain normal vision, and he said that will let him accomplish a major goal: “I’ll start driving again.”