Aimee Copeland lends encouragement to mother

Gwinnett County, Ga.--(FOX 5)--A Georgia mother suffering from flesh-eating bacteria got an inspirational visit from someone who has been through the same thing.

Aimee Copeland contracted necrotizing fasciitis during a zip line accident in 2012. Doctors were forced to amputate her left leg, right foot and both of her hands as a result.

The 26-year-old Snellville woman met with Cindy Martinez, 34, a Gwinnett County mother who recent lost a hand and both feet to the disease. Her husband, Officer David Martinez reached out to Copeland for advice and encouragement.

The Martinez family said they are grateful for Copeland's support and candid conversations as they prepare their two children, 5-year-old David and 2-year-old Bianca, for what lies ahead.

Copeland has previously said she tries to stay as active as she did prior to the accident, swimming, kayaking and hiking.

Cindy Martinez is a former Marine and her husband works as a Gwinnett County police officer.

She was hospitalized on May 25. Doctors said the flesh-eating bacteria, called necrotizing fasciitis, come from some kind of open wound.

The family has set up an online account for donations to help with medical expenses:gofundme.com/w4v22v5n