“I’m happier than ever now I’ve lost my limbs”

BRAVE AMPUTEE: Aimee Copeland suffered devastating injuries after developing a flesh-eating disease. But incredibly, she says it’s changed her life for the better

retty student P Aimee Copeland’s world was turned upside down when she was involved in a freak accident that led to her developing a flesheating infection.

The 27-year-old suffered a cut to her leg while she was zip-lining, which became infected and ravaged her body, robbing her of her hands, left leg and right foot.

But, nearly four years on, Aimee has learnt to do everyday tasks using prosthetic limbs and has even found love with new man Stephen, 28.

Aimee, from Atlanta, USA – who is now working as a motivational speaker – says: “I’ve lost all my limbs but life couldn’t be any happier. Before the accident I was just another pretty girl. I relied on my looks for things and took life for granted – now I can inspire others.

“My relationship broke down because my ex struggled to cope with my injuries but now I’ve met Stephen, who loves me for who I am. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been.”

ZIP-LINING FALL

Aimee’s life changed forever in May 2012 when she was with friends, found an old zip-line and had a go on it. She fell six feet on to rocks after her harness broke, and cut her calf badly.

After being given stitches she was discharged from hospital, but immediately developed severe pain, which intensified over the next four days. Aimee recalls: “My leg turned a purple colour and my boyfriend at the time could smell rotting flesh. It was horrible.

“My symptoms got worse and a few days later I was rushed to hospital where doctors told me I had necrotising fasciitis, a rare condition that kills the body’s soft tissue. I’d caught it from infected river water. I was on painkillers and everything was a blur. I was terrified.”

The condition affects everyone differently. With the bacteria spreading to her outer limbs, Aimee was transferred to an infection care unit and doctors were forced to amputate her left leg above her hip. By this point Aimee’s organs had started shutting down and she was given a one per cent chance of survival. Two weeks later, her right foot and both hands were amputated, too.

She says: “I was on high levels of morphine and didn’t know what was happening. Dad was crying as he lifted my hands to show me my black fingers, and told me I had to have my hands amputated. I knew it was my only option.”

LEARNING TO ADAPT

After the operation, Aimee remained in intensive care for two weeks. She recalls: “Even though my limbs weren’t there I developed phantom pains. It was horrendous.”

Six weeks later, having defied the odds of survival, Aimee moved to a rehab centre where she began to learn to adapt to life without limbs.