In 2012, Aimee Copeland was a 24-year-old graduate student studying at The University of Georgia.
That year, she decided to spend some time off with friends, enjoying the last few weeks before graduation.
One day, they thought it would be fun to take a trip to a little lake where they could zipline across the water. The excited group couldn’t wait to give it a shot.
Aimee had no idea that this moment would completely change her life. A zipline is a long wire that is stretched high above the ground, giving amazing views of everything below. Usually, it’s very safe to use.
When it was Aimee’s turn, everything went horribly wrong. The cable broke unexpectedly, and Aimee tumbled down towards a cliff… and that day, she lost her leg.
Aimee was taken to the hospital, but the tragedy didn’t stop there.
The doctors discovered that the situation was way more serious than they thought. The wound had been infected by flesh-eating bacteria, and the 24-year-old was in danger of dying.
She fell and got a serious cut on her leg. Unfortunately, it got infected with a bacteria called Aeromonas hydrophila. This infection turned into a really dangerous condition called necrotizing fasciitis, which is often called a flesh-eating disease.
Aimee went through 11 surgeries and a lot of hard rehab, but she was able to overcome her challenges. Unfortunately, she had to have both her hands and legs amputated.
Little by little, Aimee got used to her new life, and now, four years after the accident, this image of her as a fighter was going viral on social media, motivating thousands of people online.
On the beach, Aimee is confidently wearing her bikini and showing off her body just the way it is, complete with scars and missing limbs.
She wrote: “It has taken me a long time to become comfortable with and accept my new body. We are ALL made with imperfections and there is so much beauty in our flaws. The scars and skin grafting build character! It’s not about what you have — what you do with what you have is what really counts.”
In 2023, Aimee Copeland is a strong supporter of amputee and disability rights. She inspires many people by sharing her story through public speaking and social media.
Besides her work in advocacy, Aimee is also working on getting her PhD in psychology at the University of West Georgia.
Watch this video for more details:
Aimee, you exemplify strength and courage! Your actions serve as an inspiration to all of us. If you also recognize Aimee’s remarkable bravery, please consider sharing this story with your friends and family on Facebook today.