I’m 60 years old. My heart was shattered and broken in pieces by my first love at 19 years old who left me high and dry. I thought of ending it back in 1979. I didn’t. I would have missed SO much. A great life. My husband. 3 wonderful grown sons and my first grandchild, a baby girl, due in June. No one is worth ending your life over.

Lessons for young people: no one you break up with or who breaks up with you is worth your life, face, sight, etc. say goodbye, wish them well and continue on with your full life.

My Dad used to tell me when he saw me very upset: No one and nothing is ever worth getting yourself sick over...he was so right.

In my opinion there’s nothing worse than trying to end it, failing and then having to suffer through something like this.

With all due respect to the incredible advances in facial reconstruction....the fact that 40 people in the same room, operating together in harmony is what also fascinates me.

It's amazing how many people focus on Katie losing her looks. That's the least of it. She lost her sight and her independence too.

I would like to give praise to the family of the lady who died and donated her face for Katy. Praise to the surgeons who had a very difficult task and did an amazing job and lastly to Katy and her family for their incredible bravery at every step. I think Katy is beautiful inside and out.

It's not just slapping on a new face. There was so much underlying skull and structure that had to be rebuilt. It's amazing how all of it came together as a whole. A very talented team of surgeons, indeed.

This should be shown in schools to teens to make them aware of the importance of sharing their feelings and getting professional advice before making a decision that could change their lives forever. It is a graphic lesson that could save a life.

I look back years and can tell you that people who I thought I couldn't live without at the time are barely a memory now. NOBODY is worth doing that to yourself

I've struggled with my mental health since I was a child. I'm turning 31 soon. This young girl saying she's grateful for a second chance at life... wow. Very, very sobering. I'm glad she was given this opportunity but my heart truly breaks for the pain she's gone through, physical and mental.

We all make mistakes - most of us are lucky and don’t end up paying for the rest of our lives. Her family is amazing, as is her resilience.

Shes so lucky to have loving, rational parents. Many people dont have that

To anyone reading this that is suffering from a breakup take it from this 65 year old who has been through so many breakups that though the pain is so intense you WILL get through it and over it. Please, please don't try to hurt yourself or end your life because another person has hurt you. My heart goes out to this beautiful girl. God please bless her and her family.

She is lucky to have such wonderful dedicated parents. Without them she probably wouldn’t even be here.

I am really impressed at her strength in continuing forward honestly. I don’t think I’d want to be alive if I had done this to myself.

Despite it being very tragic, what’s beautiful about it is seeing the parents being so strong and showing unconditional love to their daughter. It’s so touching.

She was so pretty... I couldn’t imagine how much she regrets it and wishes she could go back and change that day

Such a beautiful girl before this tragedy. Heartbreak is painful, but it's not worth this devastation. If only she'd had someone to talk to, so she could get through it, she could've led a normal life rather than go through this trauma. I'm glad she's rebuilding, not only her face, but her life.

Katie--thank you so much for sharing your story. I shared your story with my no 14.5 y/o daughter about a year ago, and I will share it with her again. I never want my daughter to feel that ANY relationship, or any other issue in life, is worth committing suicide. She also had step-sister that successfully committed suicide at 17 (my daughter was 10 at the time, so it was in 2018) by gun-shot--her dad's gun. It was horrific. I can't imagine whether it's better to survive something like that or not--but YOU have shown such bravery in sharing your story and I can't thank you enough

Depression will never be understood by those not consumed. It is impossible even for those to understand. Depression destroys logic and until you have faced chronic depression, you will never understand it's destructive path. I have lived with it all my life and it continues to get worse. My heart sinks for this young women.

This is a very sad story... I did find it very heart wrenching when the mother said her son carried her away from her daughters body before she could see what happened to her: no mother should ever have to see their child like that. She has a very good son, a miracle daughter and an all around strong family.

I'm glad so many people pulled together to give her another chance at a full life. for everyone out there going through a hard time, try to remember that it will pass + lots of people (even people who don't know you personally) care about you 💛

I am 70 years old. My first "love" dumped me at 20 years old because of our different religions. I was crushed. She was Jewish, I was Protestant. Her family didn't approve of that difference and she subsequently was pressured into dumping me. Hit me very hard but I was fortunate enough to be able to rationalize about what had happened and that it wasn't my fault. She found her "Jewish prince" and married him in 1976. He didn't love her, he cheated on her multiple times through the years, something I wouldn't have ever done. They divorced at some point. Sad.

Have no words. Make me rethink my own conduct and attitude in life. I think it is time to educate myself to be much more positive.

As a mother myself I couldn't imagine watching my child go through this. Absolutely strong family.

The perseverance to overcome so much proves just how precious her life is. I wish her and her family continued healing for this brave, beautiful woman.

The donor was such a compassionate person. Even after their death, part of them and their good deed lives on. Please consider becoming an organ donor, it's such a gift. Even giving blood is a miracle. My partner wouldn't be here without the blood donations of strangers. Even now I tear up at the thought of strangers saving my love's life. ❤

Can't even imagine what her parents were going through when they first found their daughter after the gun shot wound. So traumatic.

big respect to the medical staff for this job!

Hats off to the wonderful people that took part in this miracle, it was truly a team effort. Thank you.

This same thing happened to a buddy of mine. I can't imagine the torment to know that you even failed at the one thing you were looking to set yourself free. The good news is we still have him and he has a whole new outlook on life.

I was 17 and very much in love. When he told me he was leaving after 9 months of dating my world caved in. But after a few days and nights crying I decided to pay him back by being the best I can the rest of my life. Did not date until I turned 21 and had a ball. At 23 fell madly in love and we married 2 years later. I was 28 when I had my first baby. I thank my lucky stars that he dumped me.

Nowadays we are so used to judging people faces, whether they are pretty, whether they are perfect...until we actually forgot the functions of a face. With a face, we can see, we can breathe, smile, eat, hear... but when Katie lost her face she can barely even talk. If you have a functional body, it is perfect enough. But most importantly, love yourself for who you are, and what anybody else say will be nothing to you. ❤

So many young people live hour to hour with their feelings or emotions. Poor Katy. But her family is amazing. That’s love right there. Prayers for her continued healing. She is a testimony to others❤

We need to be remained of how precious life is by incredible people like Katie, she is, without doubt, a beautiful, gorgeous and wonderful person. I feel so guilty because I often moan and bitch about the difficulties life has put on my path, but they are nothing compared to what Katie has endured. My heart goes out to her, she was heartbroken and made a silly decision, which has cost her great pain and suffering beyond what anybody can imagine and she certainly did not deserve it. I wish her love, peace, happiness and also god bless all the people, doctors, nurses, and medical team who did so much to help her. People can be truly wonderful when they come together to help others.

I had a neighbor when I was growing up who killed himself when his girlfriend broke up with him. He had so much going for him. It's so sad. He was 17.

People keep saying that she was beautiful as if it beauty was the most important thing she lost that day.

I have 2 daughters and I can't stop crying. God bless you Katie your beautiful family, the donor and the heroic team of Angels who saved you. Love you kiddo : )

This is amazing! This procedure has come me so far. I remember the first one. I’m so impressed here. She has every feature perfectly normal and her skin looks beautiful. Just amazing the work this team did 💫

This is so heartbreaking. its so crazy how you can be one decision away from a completely different life.

When I was in high school, my high school sweetheart & I broke up in our junior year. I was devastated and cried for half a year and took years to actually get over it. It shadowed a lot of my young years. After the break up, I had to endure seeing him with the other girl on a daily basis as we went to the same school. He ended up taking her to the prom I’d already purchased the dress for, as we broke up the month before prom. People who knew me asked my Mom what was wrong as I’d changed from a happy, always smiling, confident girl, to a shadow of myself. I hid in our closet to cry constantly. I never thought of taking my own life, but if God had said that I’d be dying soon, I wouldn’t have flinched. I went thru the rest of my high school years acting as if I was fine, hiding behind being a varsity song leader, an active social life, and other boys(I always had dates) whom I resented because they weren’t the boy I loved. I was really a very sad girl. My poor Mom, I never stopped to notice that my pain was hers; I was too absorbed in my own woes. Only now, as a mother, do I realize that you can’t always fix what hurts your child, and that is very painful. Anyway, I’m now 74, have lived a wonderful life mostly with the love of my life, my husband. If I could tell my 16 & 17 yr old self anything, it would be to stop wasting so much time crying, enjoy the people that love you, and the boys that want to be around you. I wasted so many days. In retrospect, it was all but a drop in the bucket of my life!

The before and after is what haunts me. She wasn’t normal looking, she was BEAUTIFUL. To go from that to this over a boy ☹️

God Bless you to the family that allowed the face of their lost child to be transplanted.”I don’t know how she will help people” The moment this journey began everyone is learning…always try to make the good come out of the bad…thank you Katie for taking this journey for humanity

Saddest part of this story is the fact that the person she did this over has probably moved on with his life with college, marriage etc and she’s been through all this trauma. In my mind, don’t ever do for others what they wouldn’t do for you.

I have listened to Katie's story many times. Today, in July 2021, I have noticed for the first time that from early childhood she had herself under extreme pressure. In this report her mother says, of her daughter's high school experience, "She had to have that 4.0. " This represents perfectionism. And too much self inflicted pressure. In my opinion, this level of perfectionism in the approach of an elementary or high school student, should be taken as a strong warning. I understand that Katie's parents are doing their absolute best now. It is obvious that they have always cared about their daughter. I just believe that there could be a connection between perfectionistic, high pressure behavior, and suicide attempts. There is this "if it is not good enough I'll just end it" attitude which can be really dangerous. Obviously her parents are great...they are wonderful. I would just ask the parents and family members of over-achieving, perfectionistic students, to guide their child in the direction of easing up on themselves. 3.9 grade average might be good enough. A few losses on the soccer field...acceptable. Just like yourself and accept yourself, as you are.

I started bawling my eyes out. I've seen a lot of these types of videos and never cried like that

She was so beautuful and is strong. I don't think I could live life like that. Even after a face translpant

I feel really bad for her brother... I hope they all heal from this experience.

Her Dad seems very intelligent. Her parents are strong, supportive & loving. I think that will help her go on in life. God Bless Them All.

Wow. I’m in awe. I have no other words other than to pray for her continued grace and strength.

I can never understand this. A beautiful person, having all these resources, and then this. I have nothing and never think this way. So heartbreaking

One mistake can change life for ever.

Someday, I’d love to hear her giving a TED Talk when her speech & condition gets improved. She’s a beautiful soul and so strong. Her story is really really extreme and inspirational. Hope she gets well soon.

my eyes are teary watching this..I hope she's okay now, I'm sending all my love and positive energy to her

Heartbreaking 💔 story! I wish Katie & her family wellness! Although Katie is suffering great trauma, the trauma her family has overcome is amazing, & she is very fortunate to have such a supportive family!

My heart broke. I need to count my blessings every minute

With all she is living now she said « I’m glad to have another chance » she is still positive and she have a beautiful soul.

I wonder if anyone ever even asked her if she wanted to do all of this? I feel compassion for this girl.

What a beautiful outcome to such a tragic day. What a precious gift from the donor and her family.

Poor girl she is so beautiful it's heartbreaking. I hope she gets better soon and live a happy life.

The dedication and love of the medical team brings tears to my eyes. Making it happen!

This is the 3rd face transplant I have watched. I know people will hate me for this, but I am sick of selfish teenagers who ruin the lives of their families because boohoo he/she doesn't love me. Then they get the face that could have been used for someone who was in a fire or car accident.

My girlfriend had me so upset that i was gonna jump in front of a train but i tripped on a stick in the dark as the train came speeding and just past by....Thank you stick for saving my life.

I put a gun in my mouth and pulled the trigger at the age of 58. Depression like any other disease can be fatal. My injuries are not a severe but it did take 5 surgeries to get my face functional again.. I thank God and give him the glory for my second chance. God blessed you dear and your path forward will be to help others not get to that point, as is mine.

Teenagers are compulsive. Emotions run high at that age. I really wish that teens could see not only her example but the many others who had that moment, acted on it and then had to go through the unimaginable. Yet are thankful that they survived.

Incredible work by the medical team. Sending love to Katie.

i don't know where all you people get it from that she tried to take her life just because of a break up. it was extremely glossed over in the video, maybe because she doesnt wanna share all her reasons with the whole world. we have no idea what was going on in her life and what had happened leading up to her decision. thank god her attempt was just an attempt, and i wish all the best to her. hopefully she will keep rehabilitating and will have a good life.

She was so lucky that everyone surrounded her with love from her parents to the docters. Really heartwarming during the video

Everyone saying it’s stupid to take your life over a breakup is missing their own point. People usually do NOT think life is over after a breakup, and for that to be her breaking point it’s clear that there were other things going on with her mentally. People who are not either depressed, emotionally unstable or otherwise emotionally distraught would not choose that option. Don’t think she gave up her life over something so simple

Amazing team work: Katie, parents, medical teams, councillors . Katie: live your new life and make a KZfaq career in telling your story and helping others. Best wishes.

What a wonderful job from this team!!!! This young lady had a second chance in life!!!

Bless her and everyone who helped this girl.

The beauty of a person is not judged by looks it is the heart and soul that makes a person beautiful.

Such loving parents...wonderful. GO KATIE you have so much to offer the world.

Bless you, Katie and your amazing docs and family. How inspirational.

It’s just so hard to look at her, poor baby. Rock solid parents, for sure.

The crazy thing is how gorgeous she was. Absolutely beautiful. Can't imagine the regret she has now :/

the result looks incredibly. i’m so glad that she survived and is getting better, to inspire more people

Prayers and best wishes for her recovery both physically and emotionally. So sad to see such a beautiful woman have taken such drastic measures from a break up. Life is too short as it is and way too precious.

My grandmother used to say, the moment you stop being grateful for the good things in your life, and instead focus on the bad things and inflict harm upon yourself (like what Katie did, like drinking, drugs etc), all those good things will be taken away from you. Let this be a lesson for everyone watching this. I can’t imagine what she went through, and is still going through, having been exceptionally beautiful, and how she lost her sight. Sending strength and blessings to Katie and her family ❤️

Katie, your alive for a reason! And ur gratitude towards having a second chance at life speaks a lot about who u r. I can not even imagine what this is like for you and ur family. You have truly inspired me! God loves you so much and wants to use in so many ways to help the broken! What an inspiration! God bless you and ur family!

This is an incredible hospital that can do incredible things. I know, my life was saved in 1993 at this facility. God bless Katie and the Drs. and staff at CC..

Bless her. Hope she goes from strength to strength and has a wonderful life…she deserves it. Xx

I am in love with the dedication of these Doctors.

This is exactly what true love is capable of. The surgeons loved working with her to better their experience and skill and give her the opportunity to be herself again. Her family and friends were surrounding her with all their love and support and she thrived!

That's wonderful for Katie and her loved ones. The person who provided the face would be so pleased.

It all has to come from her strength and resilience. This is what helps others as well. What a strong family x

I'd like to see an update on this girl, what's she doing now and how she's getting along.

Bless her, for being so patient. For coming out on the other side as a new woman.

I'm a guy and I cried. Thank you for being brave, and bless you in all your endeavors.

Katie is amazing. I read about her ordeal in National Geographic Magazine. Cleveland Clinic is wonderful. Best wishes, Katie.

Go Katie! So happy for you and your family that you survived. You are important and your life has meaning.

Hearing her say how excited she was over having a new face made me cry

Amazing transplant success. ❤ Prayers for Katie and her family and to the donors family as well.

Doctor's nurses ALL ANGELS

This is remarkable. As a parent I cannot imagine going through this with my son. It's gotta be incredibly difficult.

The saddest part about this is that she did this to herself wow.

Incredible story, my thankful n prayers out to all for making this happen for Katie. May God Bless your life.

She's the strongest and bravest girl I've ever seen! Katie keep fighting!! You're amazing 🫶