Brothers of Chimp Attack Victim: She’s Tough

Charla Nash is fighting for her life after a vicious chimp attack but she is tough, her brothers said.

Nash was severely injured on Feb. 16 in Stamford when her friend’s pet chimpanzee, Travis, mauled her.

She lost her hands, nose, lips and eyelids in the attack, officials at the Cleveland Clinic said. She also may be blind and brain damaged and her injuries are so severe hospital officials say it's still unclear if she can recover at all.

Nash’s brother said she has competed on the rodeo circuit and once drove herself to the hospital to give birth.

Stephen Nash describes his sister as strong-willed and independent. She cared for horses, was a dispatcher for Herold's tow truck business and collected bottles to help pay her bills.

The Cleveland Clinic, where Nash is being treated, is credited with conducting the first successful face transplant surgery.  But in this case, they say any consideration of that option is premature.

Nash remains in critical condition.

The chimp's owner had asked Charla Nash, her friend, to come to her home the day of the attack to help lure the animal named Travis back into her house.
 

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Connecticut

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