Q: What is the latest on Aimee Copeland, the young lady who lost several limbs due to flesh-eating bacteria?
—Jean Higgins, Atlanta
A: Copeland recently started working as a resident psychotherapist at Heartwork Counseling Center in Atlanta and has launched a nonprofit, the Aimee Copeland Foundation.
“This nonprofit is currently raising money to make my dream of starting an accessible, outdoor therapy center for people of all ages and abilities, but especially accessible for people with disabilities,” Copeland told Q&A on the News.
On April 12, she will accept $25,000 in seed money from Citigroup for the nonprofit.
“My overall vision is to help people live fulfilling and meaningful lives with physical, mental and spiritual health,” she said.
At Heartwork, she plans to complete a three-year residential training program to become a licensed clinical social worker, which is a necessary step to opening her own practice.
Copeland’s center will focus on the healing effects of nature, which she used in her recovery. In 2012, the Snellville native fell from a homemade zip line and cut her leg on a rock, exposing her body to a flesh-eating bacteria and resulting in a life-threatening infection. She had one leg, both of her hands and a foot amputated.
“There’s a ton of research that shows how being in nature has incredible, positive effects on all aspects of well being,” said Copeland. “In fact, they’ve even done studies showing that even looking at beautiful pictures of nature has healing impacts on mind and body. It actually boosts the immune system.”
She regularly posts updates on her Facebook page: facebook.com/aimeecopelanddisabilitiesadvocate
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Katie Tiller contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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