Four years ago, Aimee Copeland suffered a tragic fall.
She was zip-lining above the Little Tallapoosa River, when her wire broke. The adventurer plummeted down, landing on rocks below, and gashing open her leg.
Unfortunately, the ensuing wound attracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease, which entered her bloodstream and ultimately cost Copeland both of her hands, her right foot, and left leg.
Despite suffering such a life-altering change, this survivor has embraced her new reality in stride.
Since surviving her illness, she has completed a master's degree in humanistic psychology, and is currently on track to complete a second in social work.
This strong woman has also become a tireless advocate for other disabled folks in her community and around the country.
Just this week, Copeland posted an amazing photo of herself on the beach, scars and amputation marks bare. She praised her body, boasting powerful messages of self-love.
Her message has already been applauded by thousands of supporters all across the globe.
Keep scrolling to learn more about this woman's incredible journey — surviving illness, braving recovery, and now advocating for others destined to walk a similar path.
[H/T: Daily Mail]
In 2012, Aimee Copeland ventured outdoors with friends, zip-lining near Carrollton, GA's, Little Tallapoosa River.
However, mid-zip, Copeland's line broke. She fell around six feet, down onto rocks, and gashed open her leg.
Bad enough as her fall was, her situation deteriorated further when she contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease.
Copeland entered the hospital with a 1 percent chance of survival.
Thanks to the constant, diligent support of family and friends who stayed by her bedside through weeks of recovery, as well as the medical staff's valiant efforts, Copeland was moved out of the hospital and into a rehab center six long weeks after her admittance.
Unfortunately, she entered rehab sans both her hands, her right foot, and her left leg — all lost due to the virus.
This brave survivor spent two full months relearning how to live in the world without the limbs she'd once taken for granted.
Once she returned home, her frustration only grew.
Copeland told the Daily Mail, "There were many days when it was so frustrating, I would get angry and scream and sob, I hated having to rely on help to do the most simplest of tasks."
Aside from struggling with simple tasks, Copeland also resisted accepting her new body's appearance.
She continued to the Daily Mail: "All my life, I was told how pretty I was.
“I was 5 foot 8 and weighed 125 pounds and was confident when I looked in the mirror. After the accident, there were no mirrors in the hospital and that is for a reason.”
However, after finding her way toward acceptance, Copeland plunged herself back into life.
She completed a master's degree in humanistic psychology, and is going on for a second in social work.
Since surviving her accident, this crusader has also fallen in love with her partner, a 26-year-old English teacher named Stephen. The two met on OkCupid, and might never have crossed each other's paths had it not been for Copeland's saga.
Copeland now wears bionic prosthetics, which help her participate fully in her amazing life.
And an amazing life she certainly lives! When Copeland's taking a break from traveling the country, giving empowering speeches and helping other amputees find their own life's happiness, you can find her kayaking, biking, wakeboarding, and enjoying time with family and friends.
She also acts on the advisory council for Tools for Life, and advocates for others in the disabled community as a board member for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children.
Copeland recently gave the commencement speech at George Gwinnett College, and announced her upcoming memoir.
Proceeds of that project, Copeland wrote on Facebook, will go toward funding "my dream of creating a nonprofit community growth center for people of all ages and abilities!"
Copeland's story reminds us that no struggle is too dark to indefinitely overshadow our future happiness.
As she told the Daily Mail: "I honestly think part of me did die the day of the accident, but I have been reborn a better person.
“Thanks to losing my limbs, I am an inspirational speaker and get to meet so many people and touch their lives, people I would never ever had the opportunity to do before.
“Now I feel I can actually make a difference with my life.”
Recently, Copeland celebrated her body, posting a selfie of herself enjoying a beach day — scars and amputations bare for the world to see.
Copeland wrote on her Facebook: "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."
Faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, this powerful survivor entirely exceeded every expectation, and continues fighting to afford others the opportunity to do the same.
Watch the video below for more about Copeland, and let us know what you think of her story in the comments.
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