Ohio woman, 32, who fell for a man eight months after his face transplant says she feels 'like a punching bag' for online trolls and insists: 'It was love at first sight'

A woman who fell for her boyfriend 'at first sight' eight months after he underwent a 24-hour face transplant has described feeling 'like a punching bag' for online trolls.

Jessica Perez, 32, from Ohio, met 24-year-old Joe DiMeo through social media after reading about his story - and she 'fell in love with him the first time I hugged him'.    

Mr DiMeo, who lived in New Jersey, had suffered third degree burns across 80 per cent of his body when he crashed his Dodge Challenger in July 2018.

Over the following months, he underwent 20 reconstructive plastic surgeries and skin grafts, before having the breakthrough transplants in August 2020 in a 24-hour operation.

But despite her new relationship getting off to a strong start, Ms Perez said she 'feels like a punching bag' due to all the online hate she receives.

Jessica Perez, 32, from Ohio, met 24-year-old Joe DiMeo through social media after reading about his story - and she 'fell in love with him the first time I hugged him'

The nurse said: 'People say I’m a gold digger, attention seeking, and call me fake.

'The disrespect is crazy, especially toward someone who you want on your team. I'm a good person and do the right thing, trust me you want me on your side.

'In public, people stare. Sometimes it's funny, one time a man gave Joe a thumbs-up.

'But teenagers can be rude and remark "what's wrong with his face?" Joe doesn't care, but I wonder how people are raised so poorly.

'It bothers me, people need to be better than that. But I also remind myself they are likely projecting their jealousy when they say hateful things.'

Ms Perez and Mr DiMeo met eight months after the reconstructive transplant in 2020, and the nurse said her boyfriend 'still gets admitted to hospital from time to time'.

Joe DiMeo (seen before his accident), who lived in New Jersey, had suffered third degree burns across 80 per cent of his body when he crashed his Dodge Challenger in July 2018

Joe underwent 20 reconstructive plastic surgeries and skin grafts, before having the breakthrough transplants in August 2020 in a 24-hour operation

Jessica Perez said she 'feels like a punching bag' due to all the online hate she receives

But despite all the challenges they face, Ms Perez said she and her boyfriend never let the negativity get to them and they both remain positive and hopeful about their future

She said: 'This has never been an issue for me and because I am a nurse, I understand a lot regarding his care.

'Because Joe has a complicated transplant, we have to be prepared for hospitalizations.

'We've had to cancel trips and plans. We can't go out in the summer heat even for a walk because Joe can go into rejection from the sun.'

But despite all the challenges they face, Ms Perez said she and her boyfriend never let the negativity get to them and they both remain positive and hopeful about their future.

She said: 'I talk to Joe about the hate, he helps me navigate my feelings.

'He makes me feel better. Sometimes I’ll respond to it if someone is public about their life.'