Emotions, surprises during Aimee Copeland’s visit with Katie Couric today
Photo Credit: Disney-ABC Domestic Television / Ida Mae Astute
Aimee Copeland greeted America for the first time Tuesday, standing tall.
Months after the deadly infection that threatened her life and forced multiple amputations, the 24-year-old Snellville woman appeared on Katie Couric’s new talk show, “Katie.” She moved slowly but surely on a prosthetic foot, assisted by a walker, as Couric nodded encouragement and blinked back tears.
“It felt pretty good,” Copeland said as she settled in. “You take for granted just looking people in the eye.”
Copeland freely discussed the rigors of rehab and the challenge of relearning simple skills like brushing her teeth. She laughed and smiled throughout the visit and sang along to the Bob Marley song “Is This Love” that played during a commercial break. Not once did her sunny personality dim.
“I love life,” she said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
In interviews with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 following the television appearance — Couric’s show airs daily at 3 p.m. — Copeland talked about regaining her independence. While she’d love to eventually go camping or on a cruise, she’ll soon be driving again, thanks to the surprise donation of a vehicle from metro Atlanta car dealer Steve Rayman. She’ll be able to select a vehicle from inventory and have it retrofitted to suit her needs.
“I just want her to be a 24-year-old kid like any 24-year-old kid,” Rayman said. “She’s been an inspiration.”
The bubbly Copeland was momentarily speechless (not even her parents, who accompanied her, knew about the gift), then hugged her benefactor.
After the show
“To be able to get up and do what I want to do, it’s going to be really incredible,” Copeland said. “I just hope to live a normal life. I want to be completely independent.”
After a May zip-line accident introduced a rare, flesh-decaying bacteria into her system, surgeons had to amputate her left leg, right foot and both hands to try to save her life. In asking for her consent, her father Andy lifted Copeland’s hands — useless by then — so that she could see them and understand how dire her situation was.
“It wasn’t until my dad showed me my hands — my fingers were black, my hands were blood-red — that I realized things were going to be different,” said Copeland, who mercifully has few memories of that time. “I wasn’t in a whole lot of pain. I think my mind protected me by sort of going offline.”
Intense physical therapy at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center has her feeling more confident. She proudly noted that she can do 300 abdominal crunches; core strength helps her mobility. She also said that her senses seem more acute.
“The first time I noticed it, I was up on the parking deck at Shepherd,” she said. “Looking up at the sky, the colors were so vivid and so beautiful. It was like I had never seen the sky.”
Copeland returned home last month to a new two-story wing donated by builder Pulte Homes, built with her needs in mind. The University of West Georgia graduate student plans to get cracking soon on her master’s degree thesis (the “Katie” segment showed her using her computer with voice commands and a stylus and texting with her nose). Her thesis topic is “Wilderness Therapy for Amputees.”
“Healing often happens in nature,” Copeland said. She wants to work with other amputees, including veterans, and looks upon her ordeal as a sort of preparation.
“I’ve been really blessed to see life through a different perspective,” she said. “In the end I’ll be able to help a lot of people through what’s happened to me. Before, I wanted to help people. Now I know I can help people.”
Copeland credits a naturally positive disposition and her spirituality with helping her remain upbeat.
“On the inside, I’m still the same person. Instead of saying I’m disabled, I say I have different abilities,” she said. “Why did this happen to me? This happened to me because I could handle it.”
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104 comments Add your comment
Brenda
September 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
Someone, please tell me why race is even an issue here? This young lady has fought hard since she woke up and continues to fight hard. Her race doesn’t have a thing to do with what has happened to/for her.
Yeah Right
September 11th, 2012
4:44 pm
People speak of her courage. Specifically her response to the decision to amputate. She said, “let’s do this.” Well, gee duh, what were her alternatives. PALEASE!!!!
References to god in this blog are funny and idiotic. A loving god does this. Yeah, right.
Dave
September 11th, 2012
4:48 pm
Amen Brenda!!
Yeah Right
September 11th, 2012
4:48 pm
I’m praying for her.
laura
September 11th, 2012
4:50 pm
Aimee has been an uplifting spirit since her news hit the media. She continues to inspire me and many with her strength, determination, and positive attitude. It will take her far. This isn’t a story about race…
soapbox
September 11th, 2012
4:53 pm
nice to see you Aimee…and to all the vets , you have inspired as well..thank you
Paul
September 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
to defend Norwegian Blue, this story would not make headlines in other countries! so give him some slack! At least he/she is taking time out to read about it!
Norwegian Blue
September 11th, 2012
5:00 pm
Thanks to those who responded civilly to my post. I will look into the story further. (And if anyone is curious, no I don’t live in a hole, I only vacation there.)
GrannyCaresII
September 11th, 2012
5:01 pm
Aimee was the star and is an inspiration. Ms Couric interrupted what would have otherwise been the SHOW OF THE WEEK!
Matt Lauer
September 11th, 2012
5:10 pm
Katie Couric is horrible – couldn’t have found a worse person for the 1st interview
You go girl!
September 11th, 2012
5:20 pm
Bravo Aimee!!
negativities
September 11th, 2012
5:24 pm
what happened to her is highly unusual and quite rare – what is rarer still is that she did not let it beat her, she remained focused and positive. In that she is an inspiration, something many could apparently learn something from given these posts! I can imagine you will see her finish a degree and enter a career before too long – not become depressed, given up on life, and living off of disability for the remainder of her days. A positive and uplifting message to many that they have it in them and can do it and still have a good life.
as for Couric – I recall that episode of South Park where something was measured in Courics? May have been on to something there….
eazye
September 11th, 2012
5:35 pm
give this a rest!! soooooooooooooo tired of this and the house tha was bulit for her………..so what??? give this a rest………..are we supposed to feel bad??? what is the point?.. ok good… she can walk……and RAcE is an issue because everything in the country revolves around race.. and 2nd she is a white woman that why…. black women would seem to have better sense than to go “zip lining”…..white people do the darndest things…….lol even though i know some black women and other women do besides white but thats the whole thing inthe nutshell
JoeMcGoran
September 11th, 2012
5:47 pm
Aimee’s attitude and her determination was a great to watch. This strong young lady has obstacles ahead of her, and I have no doubt she conquers each and every one of them.
Carol Dunaway
September 11th, 2012
6:02 pm
Aimee is a wonderful insporation to any one with physical limitations. So very happy for Aimee and the entire Copeland family!What a blessing she is!
eazye
September 11th, 2012
6:05 pm
white people are a lil naive… that doesnt believe tht race is ever an issue.. if she was honey boo looking mom this wouldnt have been a story…lol bbut the media and other white people go bananas when it comes to attractive white women.. either ur blessed with looks or ur not .lol it is what it is…. dont hate ! congratulate!!! and thank ur parents .lol
WRT
September 11th, 2012
6:08 pm
This girl is incredible. And beautiful. It made my day to see her smiling face. What an inspiration.
eazye
September 11th, 2012
6:10 pm
lol chocolate bunny…. and its popeyes chicken grease thank u…………. and urs is hardees chicken on ur hands
JB
September 11th, 2012
6:11 pm
Matt Lauer – You a a crazy $$$$$ – Katie is the best in the business. This is one reason she is loved and is considered one of the best in the business!!!
eazye
September 11th, 2012
6:12 pm
katie is not cute!!! jovita moore is hot! she needs her own show!!!
Danny from Miami
September 11th, 2012
6:13 pm
Uhhh. Eazye… Do you really know a lot about what you are talking about or are you just crying? Maybe you are the Honey Boo here? Cry me a river. This chick owns you on any level. Don’t hate..
appreciate people that are more developed than you.
P B Orr
September 11th, 2012
6:29 pm
My friend Eric, who is not pretty and vivacious and has never been on a TV show, broke his neck at the C4 vertebra right after getting married and having a new baby. He’s been in a wheelchair for 30 years. The accident did not make him a better person, it made him a crippled person. But his real heroism is to have never said “this made me better” or “now I can help people”. The accident did not help him or make him a better person. He had his hands full, so to speak, helping himself and his new family. I’m sure he’d like to have his legs and arms back. Minimizing tragedy and then reading these schmaltzy comments about “inspiration” sort of make me ill. Those who have known tragedy do not minimize it.
JoeMcGoran
September 11th, 2012
6:41 pm
easyze, you’re as truly pathetic a human being as it gets.
RLM
September 11th, 2012
7:11 pm
What a beautiful girl. Those vets will be after her if they are smart.
Hetch Hetchy
September 11th, 2012
7:15 pm
I’m proud to be on the same planet as Aimee Copeland.
WestGaGirl
September 11th, 2012
7:17 pm
Eazye, I actually happen to go to the same college as Aimee Copeland. As a young woman, it’s a part of life and growing to go out and try new things, such as zip lining or perhaps, skydiving (Both of which I’ve had African-American friends to do, as well)
If you don’t “understand” the story of Aimee Copeland, let me try to get the moral outlook on it. She’s an intelligent, graduate student who studied hard, great personality, and ambitious. It is a shame that somebody like her was put through this, and not a drug dealer. With that being said, her courage, determination, and FAITH has given her so much strength and progress. The doctors thought that she wasn’t even going to live. Now, she’s up and walking, TRYING TO FINISH HER EDUCATION, and wants to help other people. As a student, she makes me want to go out, study harder, put my heart and soul more and more into God, and help others who aren’t as BLESSED as I am or yourself. She’s in inspiration. You know, sometimes it’s good to hear on the news something positive, something inspiring instead of “Well, 2 men were shot in Atlanta over a drug deal” or “A family’s house was robbed today” No, “because she’s a pretty white girl” has NOTHING to do with it. It’s her personality, intelligence, inspiring story, and her grace.
Think about it: It’s a struggle for Aimee just to get on the internet or text a friend. She had the world at her hands, but that’s not stopping her from continuing on.
Aimee Copeland & Family: I pray for you all every day! Aimee, I hope to see you soon on the campus and hoping to meet you and give you a hug one day! Keep on going, Girl!
Rationale Thomas
September 11th, 2012
7:21 pm
Sheila,
Can you explain how come God gets the credit for Ms. Copeland’s remarkable recovery, and none of the blame for the initial injury and infection — not to mention the deaths of others who died from similar conditions?
Brian
September 11th, 2012
7:36 pm
God watch over you Aimee Copeland. When my 2 year old daughter is old enough I plan to tell her about your strength, spirit, and courage.
Personal note to Love USA: You’ll never understand this but she saved my life. That’s a hero.
I'm
September 11th, 2012
7:39 pm
@eazye
September 11th, 2012
6:10 pm
************************************************
I spit on you!
eazye
September 11th, 2012
7:43 pm
7:45 i spit on u sept 11
eazye
September 11th, 2012
7:48 pm
just remember..that looks do matter………. fortunately or unfortunately we are society that values the beautiful ones…..it is what it is.. just be honest.. some people have it some people dont…. maybe some of the people that are making mean comments on here are unattractive and i hit a nerve…..lol
Uncle Joe
September 11th, 2012
8:15 pm
Your an inspiration to us all Aimee! That alone answers why awful things like what happened to you… happen. I look forward to hearing more from you and wish you success in all your endeavors! We may not always be able to control what happens to us, but we can decide what to do about it.
Guinney
September 11th, 2012
8:20 pm
Eazye, you are the only one here who is unattractive. Everything is LOL to you. Please do not disgrace this young woman with your ignorance. I have known the Copeland’s my entire life, since the 60’s so don’t you dare speak of this so flippantly. You don’t know what you are talking about, and are the disgrace on this thread. GO AWAY!
Motocross Survivor
September 11th, 2012
8:31 pm
Good for Aimee. Katie Couric sucks and this gig will die just like all the others.
God Help Us
September 11th, 2012
8:36 pm
She got this attention because her Father went to the news about it. Yes, this does happen all the time and you do not hear about the other people that fights this. I have a friend that lives in West Ga. that contracted MRSA and it ate the skin off his little toe. He lost the toe but in the process, the MRSA caused him to have a massive heart attach and he died in the recovery room. He was revived but stayed on the vent for 10 days with little no no hope of surviving. He did survive, had to have open heart surgery and then 3 weeks later, they had to cut his right leg off just below the knee. I did not see his name in the paper or on the news.
To this day, he is walking with a prosthetic leg but he cannot get outside and play with his boys because the property he lives on is not level and therefore causes him to fall. Hey, is there someone out there willing to help him out? No, people turn a deaf ear when you ask them to help him out by coming over and just leveling his yard, filling holes with dirt, maybe even help with some sod in his yard in case he does get out there and he does fall, maybe it will not hurt as much.
If he knew I was putting this on here, he would ring my neck for sure. But you know what, he does not complain about it and he is an inspiration to everyone he talks too. Oh yea, why do you “normal” people have to stare at the ones that is missing their limbs or may have a disease that causes that person to become disfigured? They have fillings too and to turn you nose up at them like they are trash, it is hard for me to even comprehend this and I have all my limps. Try living in his shoes or anyone’s shoes that has gone thru a life changing event and then be treated the way you treat them and see how it feels. I wish nothing but the best of luck for Aimee and wish her nothing but the best of luck on her road to recovery. Keep in mind, there are many, many more people that go thru this, like my friend, and you never hear anything about them. Yes, he is working and doing the best he can but to see the pain he lives with everyday, it breaks my heart. He has a different out look on life these days and he now has a smile on his face and lets everyone know that prayers and God saved him from eternal damnation. If I could get away with giving out his email address, you should contact him and hear his story. It will bring nothing but chills to your body.
MelDee
September 11th, 2012
9:33 pm
For stories like this I will definitely renew my AJC subscription. Aimee – you are truly an inspiration!
Chicago
September 11th, 2012
9:48 pm
This story reminds me of the song by Chicago, “You’re The Inspiration”. To all those afflicted with health problems, lose of limbs, anything that may be wrong with you, keep you head held high and show the rest of the world that you can and will make in life. You just never know who you will inspire and maybe, just maybe, your story will change one person’s life, then it was all worth it.
To all of you/us that has an affliction, let us keep our heads head high and shoe everyone else that we are just as good, if not better, than those that turn their nose up at us.
Gaga
September 11th, 2012
9:49 pm
OMF iffy……..here we go again! Get over it!
Shannon, M.Div.
September 11th, 2012
9:55 pm
Speaking as a white, female graduate student, I hope that people realize that nothing is taken away from Aimee by pointing out that her attractive looks, race, and gender have been one reason for the large amount of press.
She’s brave, she’s faced this traumatic time courageously, and she gives a great interview!
And she’s also pretty and white. You can’t separate it out. There’s a newsworthiness factor: young, white, middle class or wealthy, and/or pretty make news over older, black, poor, and/or unattractive people in the *same situation*. You think Natalie Holloway was the only person ever to go missing in Aruba? You think Aimee Copeland is the only person to have a flesh-eating virus? No and no.
Again, this takes nothing away from the graceful and determined way she has handled her tragedy. She’s been amazing, and it’s worth seeing. But it would be disingenuous to ignore that demographics played a role in her vast media coverage.
Katie Couric | Gossip, News, Biography, Pictures, Filmography: Emotions, surprises during Aimee Copeland’s visit with Katie Couric today – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
September 11th, 2012
10:05 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
danielle foster
September 11th, 2012
10:32 pm
Life is what happens, isn’t it? Well-meaning people of any race/gender/whatever can appreciate Amy Copeland as only ONE example of twists in the road, and we all understand that many, many others exists. That doesn’t not diminish Amy. “…not by the color of our skin,” right? And 300 CRUNCHES! That alone is impressive! Folk, just ignore those hate-mongers’ comments.
Casper the ghost
September 11th, 2012
11:09 pm
Aimee, I consider myself a tough guy. But compared to you, I’m just a poor little whimp. You go Girl!
Melanie
September 12th, 2012
12:04 am
Aimee, you’re amazing. Keep it up girl. You’re an inspiration!
Mama
September 12th, 2012
12:18 am
Love USA – From the dictionary – Hero: a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. I’d say Aimee has all of those qualities. Sadly, you don’t with your harsh comment.
Observer
September 12th, 2012
12:20 am
Aimee, you exhibit qualities of courage and ability in the face of strife. Admiration, respect and many thoughts and prayers for your continued success in your recovery.
BOOMIE
September 12th, 2012
9:28 am
That’sRight
September 11th, 2012
4:26 pm
What about our Veterians who lose limbs?
WHAT ABOUT OUR VETERINARIANS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIMBS??
Will
September 12th, 2012
9:49 am
So glad to see her doing so well, it’s so very heartwarming to see all the support she is getting from so many sources. Wishing her all the best.
Sheryl
September 12th, 2012
9:53 am
Aimee is such an inspiration. You are truly an Angel of God and he has a plan for your life.
zoe
September 12th, 2012
11:00 am
I am happy for all the good things that have happened to her. However, let’s not forget that all of this came to be with the help of clever marketing. Her family worked tirelessly to make sure that we won’t forget what happened. Millions of other victims of horrible accidents do not have this luxury.
Humpy
September 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
It’s all about her positive ATTITUDE. Most people in this situation, would be whining about poor old me, expecting everyone to constantly wait on them, waiting to see what they can get free from the government. The point is that Aimee is very special because she has chosen to see the positive side of her situation and she wants to continue her education, and help others, and WORK. She will not be a ward of the government and all I can say YOU GO GIRL! Too bad there are so many completely healthy, able-bodied people that CHOOSE to sit and whine and eat off the tables of those who pay taxes. GOD HELP THOSE OF YOU WHO DARE TO BRING RACE INTO THIS. For just one day you should have to live her life. There are places in Hell for just waiting for you.