Woman with flesh-eating disease sits up for first time

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Aimee Copeland makes remarkable strides

Georgia woman with flesh-eating disease sits up

For the first time since being hospitalized for flesh-eating bacteria, Aimee Copeland sat upright in a chair on Tuesday, according to a blog post written by her father.  While nurses thought she would only be able to sit for an hour, Copeland surprised everyone by sitting for over five hours.

The development comes just days after doctors had to amputate 24-year-old Copeland’s hands and remaining foot in order to stop the spread of the disease.  While she still remains in critical condition, she has been making big strides, recently starting to breathe on her own without the use of a ventilator.

To add to her triumphant day, Copeland was also treated to a private concert by Nashville recording artist Corey Durkin - who performed a song he had written just for her titled “Southern Belle.”

Copeland’s father wrote about the day’s events in a post on the Facebook page “Believe and pray for a miracle to happen for Aimee Copeland.”

Copeland received necrotizing fasciitis – a rapidly spreading infection that causes the destruction of the skin and muscles – after falling from a homemade zip line near a creak and cutting her leg open.  Initially, her left leg had to be amputated, and doctors said her chances of her survival were “slim to none." Her struggle has since captured the attention and support of many across the nation.