For Aimee Copeland, a graduate student, when it rained it poured and flooded, maiming her physically, but not her dreams and ambitions as she makes her way from Doctor's Hospital, Augusta to begin six weeks of Rehabilitation.
Aimee Copeland's battle with flesh eating disease (Necrotizing fasciitis) was the result of a freak accident, zip- lining over a West Georgia River. Aimee, 24 went Kayaking on the Little Talapoosa River, Georgia on May 1st. She jumped on a homemade zip line for a quick fun ride but the line snapped and she fell, cutting her calf on a rock. Her cuts got stapled in an emergency treatment but contracted flesh eating disease a few days thereafter.
The flesh eating disease claimed her left leg, right foot, and both hands as doctors battled to stem the tide of the debilitating disease. When Aimee learned she will suffer amputations to save her life her response was "let's do this" while inquiring about prosthetic devices in the same breath, an indomitable spirit that carried her through the painful amputations and skin grafts she received.
Last Monday she was discharged from the Doctor's Hospital, having spent some 59 days, received 200 units of fresh frozen plasma and red blood cells and a plethora of other life-support management care.
At the Inpatient Rehab facility that will be home for Aimee Copeland for the next 6 weeks, she will learn to use a motorized wheelchair and eventually prosthetic limbs, at the same time when volunteers are scrambling to remodel her childhood home to accommodate her new needs.
Aimee Copeland is determined to complete her graduate studies by the end of this year and intends to walk on stage to receive her masters degree. Thanks to a lot of support from her family and her community doors are opening to make all of this possible says her father. Rob Ponder, a long time family friend, an Architect volunteered his services crafting the Aimee Wing, an extension to the Copeland home in Snellville, Georgia. At her behest, the two-story wing will contain her bedroom, sun room and a study where she can complete her master's thesis, and a gym to regain her strength and muscle tone.
Volunteers have already demolished a deck and armed with the necessary building permit, work is already underway at a go go go pace to keep up with the recovery of a woman who has exceeded expectation at every turn in this harrowing saga, lest she is due to be released from rehab and building of her new home which will include an elevator, is not complete. This is how her community have been showing their support through fundraising for Aimee Copeland.
Aimee Copeland's upbeat reaction to all of this has brought tears to her father's eyes and he explains, "I wasn't crying because Aimee was going to lose her hands and foot, I was crying because in all of my 53 years of existence, I have never seen such a strong display of courage", says Andy Copeland. He added "I am the proud father of an incredibly courageous young lady."
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| Aimee Copeland to Rehab, photo credit Andy Copeland |
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