Woman with flesh-eating disease now breathing on her own

Aimee Copeland, 24 (AP)

The father of a young Georgia woman fighting a flesh-eating bacteria says his daughter is now breathing on her own.

Andy Copeland says his daughter Aimee was taken off of a ventilator for a period of more than 10 hours, representing a milestone in her recovery. He said she's been able to breathe "completely on her own."

Copeland shared the development late Sunday on his Facebook page, where he's been providing regular updates on the 24-year-old's condition.

The University of West Georgia student developed a rare condition called necrotizing fasciitis after cutting her leg in a May 1 fall from a homemade zip line.

She's since had a leg amputated. Her father said she was told late last week that her hands and remaining foot would also need to be amputated.