Miami cannibal victim learning to play guitar a year after most of his face was chewed off in horrific attack

WARNING!!! This video contains images and motion pictures that may be distressing to the viewer

A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a horrific attack last year in Miami has learned to play guitar as he continues to receive treatment for his injuries. 

As the first anniversary of the attack nears, Ronald Poppo has spoken publicly for the first time. 

In a video released by hospital staff, Mr Poppo thanked all the people to have supported him through his difficult recovery. 

He said: 'I thank the outpouring of people in the community and I will always be grateful for that.' 

Mr Poppo spent almost a month in hospital after the attack in May last year. 

Mr Poppo is smiling again one year after a 75 per cent of his face was chewed off by Rudy Eugene

He has been left blind but his doctors say he has been working with an occupational therapist to learn how to take care of himself. 

He has been living in a long-term care facility since the gruesome attack. 

Mr Poppo has been learning to play guitar and practices the instrument daily. 

A year after the broad daylight attack, Mr Poppo is smiling again. 

He recently celebrated his 66th birthday with staff at Jackson Memorial Hospital. 

Hospital staff helped Mr Poppo celebrate his 66th birthday and he has put 50lb under their care 

About 75 per cent of Mr Poppo's face was chewed off by Rudy Eugene in the shocking assault. 

Miami police shot and killed Eugene after being called to the scene on the side of a highway. 

Rudy Eugene ate 75% of Mr Popo's face in a frenzied attack on a Miami highway

Surveillance video from a nearby building showed Eugene stripping Poppo and beating him before appearing to hunch over and lie on top of him.

The police officer who shot Eugene to death said he growled at the officer when he told him to stop.

Emergency callers had reported seeing a naked man swinging from a light pole on Miami's MacArthur Causeway a few minutes before the attack.

It was widely speculated that Eugene was on bath salts when he launched the frenzied attack - however toxicology tests found only marijuana in his system.

The case made headlines world wide but Mr Poppo has chosen not to speak publicly until now. 

Hospital staff have revealed Mr Poppo is 'living happily and adjusting to his new life' at the Perdue Medical Center where he has learned to play guitar. 

A graphic picture released at the time showed the extent of Mr Poppo's injuries.

Two-thirds of his face was covered in scabs and his nose was missing. 

His grey beard was trimmed, leaving a moustache over his upper lip.

However, in the latest pictures his wounds have clearly improved. 

The homeless man underwent several surgeries at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida before being transferred to a local-term care center.

Mr Poppo, who is originally from New York, had been living on the streets of Florida for the past 30 years, estranged from his family who thought he had committed suicide years before.

Ronald Popo's mug shot a few weeks before the horrible attack which left his face disfigured

He said in the clip released today: 'Thanks for contributing and helping out. People in my predicament need to be helped out and I am sure there are people also that have the same type of predicament.'

Culled from DAILY MAIL