Georgia Student Aimee Copeland Fighting for Life Against Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Although Aimee Copeland, the Georgia student who contracted flesh-eating disease after a zip line injury, is showing signs of improvement, doctors say she will unfortunately lose her fingers to the terrible illness. This is just the latest setback in her tragic story.

“Aimee will suffer the loss of her fingers, however physicians have hope of bringing life back to the palms of her hands, which could allow her the muscle control to use helpful prosthetics. They are awaiting a safe time before embarking on surgery for this,” said a post by the University of West Georgia, where Copeland attends as a graduate student.

Copeland has already lost her left leg and could lose her remaining foot, said her family. She’s also hooked up to a respirator and cannot speak, but appears to be aware and alert.

“Aimee appears to have normal brain function at this time, which is something I’m celebrating because within Aimee we have a very compassionate heart and an incredible mind of intellect,” said Copeland’s father, Andy.

Copeland was riding a homemade zip line on May 1st in Georgia when the line snapped and gashed her left leg. Later, a rare but deadly bacteria entered the wound and caused a severe infection. Doctors initially didn’t give Copeland much hope for survival, but the plucky 24-year-old has somehow beaten the odds. Get well soon, Aimee!