Aimee Copeland Continues Struggle with Flesh Eating Bacteria

Georgia student who contracted a rare flesh-eating disease after zip line injury will lose her fingers.

Staff Report

AUGUSTA, GA - Aimee Copeland, a student in Georgia, recently contracted a rare but deadly flesh eating bacteria disease after a zip line accident. Copeland has already lost her left leg and may lose a foot.

"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," according to a post on the University of West Georgia Psychology website.

After falling from a homemade zip line, she gashed her leg and was infected with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but very deadly infection. According to an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she has mouthed, "What happened?" and "Where am I?" However, at this point, her family has not told her she lost her leg. 

Copeland's leg was amputated last week. Afterwards, she was flown to Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. Her recovery has been touch and go. At one point,  her heart stopped beating, which forced doctors to resuscitate her.

"Despite the fact that medical evidence says she should be dead, she isn't," Chris Aanstoos, a professor of psychology, told WSB-TV. "I think that's what makes it so precious to so many people to see how amazing she really is."