Flesh-Eating Bacteria Survivor an 'Inspiration' to the World?
Aimee Copeland, a 24 year-old graduate student who recently had her leg amputated after discovering a flesh-eating virus, has been considered an inspiration to the world.
A young student has survived what seems like the impossible after a zip line accident threatened to take her life. While the accident has taken one of Copeland's legs, it appears that it will not take the young girl's spirit.
Copeland has a difficulty recalling the accident each morning, according to CNN, who interviews the girl's parents.
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"It's scary to her," Donna Copeland told CNN. She asks where she is and "doesn't understand."
However despite the despair, doctor's are calling the case "astonishing" and "mind-boggling."
Copeland, who is a graduate student at West Georgia University, had gone on a kayaking trip with friends when the group decided to stop and try a nearby homemade zip line. While Copeland took her turn, the zip line broke, causing her to suffer an injury to her leg. It resulted in a hospital visit and 20 stitches.
After a number of repeated hospital visits in which Copeland reported that her leg was causing a great amount of pain, it was discovered that the 24-year-old had contracted a rare, flesh-eating virus.
Last Friday, Copeland was taken to the hospital where her leg and part of her abdomen had to be amputated in order to prevent the bacteria from spreading to the rest of her body. During the surgery, Copeland suffered cardiac arrest and her chances at survival were "bleak," according to a Facebook site dedicated to her.
Copeland's father reported Thursday, however, that her condition had stabilized, although there would be more complications to come, which may include additional amputations. Copeland's lungs were reportedly healing and no brain damage is expected.
Regardless of the consistent bad news, Copeland's parents have remained strong as well and even proved to be proud of the inspiration their daughter has offered to the world.
"We really don't see the suffering side of it. We see the miraculous survival," Andy Copeland said. "I think that's the story that's inspired us, that's the story that's inspired, I think, the nation at this point."
