The family of a Gwinnett County woman battling a flesh-eating bacteria gets counsel from another well-known Gwinnettian who faced similar struggles just three years ago.
Aimee Copeland, who lost her hands, a leg, and a foot to the same illness in 2012, met over pizza with David Martinez, his parents, and his two children ages 5 and 2.
His wife, Cindy, has lost both her feet and one hand since first becoming ill in May. She has also lost one finger and parts of each of the others on her left hand.
Martinez says his wife underwent yet another surgery last week to amputate more of her right arm above the elbow.
“That was one of the main things of being able to speak with an amputee is so that my kids are familiar with it and know that mom is just like everyone else; she’s going to be ‘mom’ no matter what,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.
Copeland’s parents were there as well to share what the Martinez family can expect.
“I was so glad that they thought of me,” she says. “I know when I was in the hospital, other quadruple amputees came to visit me and it meant so much to me… so I’m happy to pay it forward.”
Copeland says she doesn’t shy away when children ask her questions about her wheelchair or her arms.
“Usually I just say this is my ‘boo-boo’; I got hurt, but I’m all better now and I can do lots of things just like everybody else can,” she says.
Martinez is hopeful his wife will soon be able to meet Copeland herself.
“That’s the most important person that’s going to be able to receive the most out of this…having someone she can actually relate to and speak to,” he says.
The families met at Your Pie in Snellville where 10 percent of the proceeds every Monday in July will be donated to the Martinez family.
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