Grad Student Fights for Her Life

After a zip lining accident, West Georgia University grad student Aimee Copeland is fighting for her life. She suffered a gash in her left calf after falling from a makeshift zip line and into the Little Tallapoosa River in Georgia on May 1st. 22 staples later she was sent home for her wound to heal. However, her pain persisted. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating bacterial infection. It kills skin, flesh and tissue that surround the muscles. The bacteria, Aeromonos hydrophila, most likely caused Copeland’s infection. It is typically found in fresh or brackish bodies of water. It entered her body through the deep cut on her leg when she fell into the river.

West Georgia University graduate school student, Aimee Copeland

The spreading infection has since forced doctors to amputate her left leg, where the initially injury occurred. She has faced multiple surgeries to ward off the spreading infection. When Aimee was informed that doctors would also have to amputate her hands and remaining foot, she mouthed the words, “Let’s do this” to her father. Despite the challenges, Copeland and her family are staying positive, for they know that her survival and progress thus far in nothing short of a miracle.

Copeland remains in intensive care at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, GA. Family, friends and members of her community have rallied around her with love and support. Successful fundraisers were held at the restaurants where Copeland previously worked. Also, at a recent blood drive held in her honor, so many people showed up that some had to be turned away. Her father has been posting updates on his daughter’s progress at aimeecopeland.com.

Other instances of the disease have popped up in Georgia recently. Just this month two other patients were admitted into hospitals and diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. One was 33-year-old Bobby Vaughn, a landscaper by trade, who had a small cut on his thigh in which the bacteria entered his body. He is being treated at the same hospital as Aimee Copeland. Luckily, is infection was not as extreme in severity as Copeland’s.

Both Copeland and Vaughn are very lucky, for the disease is deadly due to its elusiveness once inside the body. Although serious, necrotizing fasciitis is very rare, so don’t be too alarmed. People are more at risk for the disease if they have any cuts or lacerations on the skin for bacteria to get inside the body. Make sure to clean any cuts thoroughly and apply antiseptic ointment to help prevent infection. Early detection is crucial.