Aimee Copeland, Flesh Eating Bacteria Survivor, Leaving Hospital

The Georgia woman who fell during a freak zip line accident earlier this summer and then suffered from flesh eating bacteria is set to leave the hospital today. Aimee Copeland lost her left leg, two hands and right foot after doctors amputated to save her from rapidly spreading necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh eating bacteria, after she fell into warm, brackish waters in the Tallapoosa River on May 1.

Aimee's recovery has been anything short of miraculous–doctors gave her little chance of survival after she arrived at the hospital after the accident. She spent weeks sedated and breathing on a respirator while doctors amputated and performed skin grafts to repair damaged and infected skin, which left her in a great deal of pain. Despite her ordeal, her speedy recovery baffled doctors and her condition was upgraded from serious to good on Monday. Her parents were also able to take her outside in her wheelchair–the first time in 49 days. Copeland will be transported to a rehabilitation facility and spend the next couple of weeks learning how to move herself in and out of a wheelchair. Her father declined to say where the facility is located, but did mention that she will later move on to another round of therapy to help her use prosthetic limbs. Aimee also has big plans to finish her Master's degree in Psychology while undergoing rehabilitation. Her biggest dream is to walk across the stage in December with her prosthetic limbs to receive her degree.

In August, GA, supporters held the Aimee Copeland 5K Run/Walk race to help pay for the expensive prosthetic limbs that Aimee will soon require. A prosthetic leg costs thousands of dollars, and typically insurance won't cover all of it. However, registration alone for the race raised $10,000, in addition to a silent auction and dozens of other donations.