Flesh-eating bacteria survivor shares beach photo, inspiring message

Photo: Aimee Copeland/Facebook 

An Atlanta woman, who nearly died from flesh-eating bacteria after falling from a zipline in 2012, shared an inspiring message on Facebook Monday.  

Aimee Copeland, 28, made national headlines four years ago for her brave battle with necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating bacteria.

Copeland suffered a deep cut following an accident on a zipline in the Little Tallapoosa River and the infection almost killed her. In order to save her life, doctors were forced to amputate Copeland’s left leg, right foot and both of her hands.

In the months that followed she underwent a number of surgeries and worked hard in physical therapy as well as rehabilitation. Copeland is now considered perfectly healthy and is currently working on a second master’s degree in social work.

Copeland lives in Atlanta and stays busy working as a motivational speaker and disabilities advocate.

Monday, while on vacation in Puerto Rico, Copeland shared a picture of herself in a bikini on the beach.

“It has taken me a long time to become comfortable with and accept my new body,” she said. “We are ALL made of imperfections and there is so much beauty in our flaws. The scars and skin grafting build character!”

Copeland went on to say it’s not about what you have.

“What you do with what you have is what really counts.”