Back in 2012, Aimee Copeland was a 24-year-old a grad-student 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 decided to go on a trip to a small lake, where they could zipline over the water. The adventurous group immediately wanted to try it out.
What Aimee couldn’t have known was that that moment would change her life forever. A zipline consists of a long stretched wire that sits high up in the air, providing stunning views below. Generally, it is completely safe.
But when Aimee’s turn came something went completely wrong. The cable suddenly snapped and Aimee fell down toward a cliff… and lost her leg that day.
Aimee was taken to the hospital, but the tragedy didn’t stop there.
Doctors found that it was much worse. Flesh-eating bacteria had infected the wound, and the 24-year-old was facing possible death.
The fall caused a deep wound on her leg that became infected with a type of bacteria called Aeromonas hydrophila, which ultimately led to a life-threatening condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, commonly referred to as a flesh-eating disease.
After 11 surgeries and tough rehabilitation Aimee luckily succeeded and managed to cope with it – but she had to amputate both hands and legs.
Slowly but surely, Aimee adapted to her new life, and now four years after the accident, this picture of the warrior was spreading on social media, inspiring thousands online.
There, wearing a bikini on the beach, Aimee’s proudly showing off her body just as it is – with scars and amputated 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.”
Today, in 2023, Aimee Copeland is an advocate for amputee and disability rights, and she continues to inspire others through her public speaking engagements and social media posts.
