Joshua Dean

Tissue Recipient

“Being a former professional athlete, I have always believed I was super-human. I thought there was no injury or pain that I could not easily overcome,” shared Joshua Dean, a tissue recipient.  

“September 10, 2017, I was involved in a horrific single-car accident where I lost consciousness at the wheel and complete control of the car. My injuries were extensive, and I required months of hospital care and multiple surgeries, including skin and nerve grafts in my arm.  

I had two skin grafts. The first was an autograft where skin was removed from my leg and transplanted to my arm to promote healing from an infection. This graft was later removed and replaced with a permanent allograft from a donor. Once the skin began to heal, I received a nerve allograft to replace 7 inches of my ulnar nerve, one of the three primary nerves in the arm.  

My donors gave me back my life and my arm. Their gifts have given me the chance to play with my daughters, hold my twin boys when they were born, hug my wife with both arms and continue to live my life. I am honored to share my story and to honor those who impacted my life through their donation and final act of kindness.”