Ronald Poppo: Miami cannibal victim learning to play guitar as part of treatment Ronald Poppo almost died after he was attacked by Rudy Eugene He was left blind and lost his nose in the frenzied assault in May last year Mr Poppo works with occupational therapist on how to take care of himself Doctors say he has learned guitar and practices every day Today, he thanked people for their support over the past year 'Miami cannibal' victim Ronald Poppo has learned to play guitar as part of his ongoing treatment after the horrifying attack 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. 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. 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. Surveillance video from a nearby building showed Eugene stripping Poppo and beating him before appearing to hunch over and lie on top of him. Mr Poppo is smiling again one year after a 75 per cent of his face was chewed off by Rudy Eugene Hospital staff helped Mr Poppo celebrate his 66th birthday and he has put 50lb under their care 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. Ronald Poppo (right) has been learning to play guitar as part of his treatment a year after 75 per cent of his face was chewed off by Rudy Eugene (left) in a frenzied attack on a Miami highway Poppo has been living in a care facility since the gruesome attack that was captured on surveillance cameras 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. 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.