Friday, Sept. 14, 2012

SNELLVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- A Georgia woman who survived a rare fleshing-eating disease plans to meet with the public in her hometown outside Atlanta.

Aimee Copeland is expected to meet with people Friday evening on the Snellville Town Green.

The Gwinnett Daily Post reports that Copeland will speak to people around 6:15 before having a meet-and-greet until 8 p.m., or as long as her health allows.

Copeland, a 24-year-old University of West Georgia graduate student, contracted a rare infection called necrotizing fasciitis in May after falling from a zip line and gashing her leg. The disease forced doctors to amputate both of her hands, her left leg and her right foot.

Her father, Andy Copeland, announced on his blog this week that he plans to write a book about his daughter's ordeal.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)