NEWS · B2 Level - Part 3

Man Who Had Face and Double-Hand Transplant Gets Married

You may seal your vows with a kiss. It's a beautiful seaside wedding in Hawaii.

Level: B2 · 29 sentences

Transcript

You may seal your vows with a kiss.
It's a beautiful seaside wedding in Hawaii.
And it's a ceremony the groom, Joe DiMeo, wasn't sure he'd ever see.
This is what Joe used to look like: a handsome 18-year-old.
Then a car crash changed his life and appearance forever.
Joe fell asleep at the wheel.
His car flipped over and caught fire.
He was burned over 80% of his body.
During a 23-hour surgery involving a team of 140 medical professionals at NYU Langone Health,
Joe made medical history,
when he was given a new face as well as new hands from the same donor.
A hairline incision was used
with subsequent removal of external scar tissue along the neck, ears, eyelids, and face.
Joe started posting about what he'd been through and found a following on social media.
Among them, Jessica Perez, a nurse from Ohio.
They bonded over the fact that they both had Boston Terriers.
A special relationship blossomed.
Jessica, what do you love about Joe?
"He's just a gentle and kind person. He's very easy to talk to and to love."
"When Jessica came in, I wasn't looking for love. It just naturally happened."
After nearly four years of dating, Joe proposed to Jessica.
...
And now, on the shores of Honolulu, a ukulele player serenades them and a hula dancer performs.
They adorn each other with traditional leis before reciting their vows.
"Together, we've proven that no challenge is too great,"
"and I know with you, we can conquer anything."
"You may seal your vows with a kiss."
Onlookers in outrigger canoes paddle by as the officiant blows the traditional Hawaiian Pū.
"You know when you find that person you want to be with, you just can't imagine one day without them. And that's how it is with Joe."