Aimee Copeland's Home in Final Stage of Renovation

Renovations on Aimee Copeland’s home are almost complete. 

The new wing is nearly 2,000 square feet and designed with Copeland in mind from top to bottom. From the elevator to the newly fitted bookshelves and wheelchair accessible bathtub, each detail will make transitioning back into life in Snellville a little easier. 

Pulte Homes is managing the construction. Because Copeland will be coming home sooner than expected, what was going to take a few months originally has been condensed to 40 days.  

“I went on CNN one night and showed the (plans for the house),” explained Aimee’s father Andy Copeland.  “I needed someone who could fast track this wing!”

Within three business days, Pulte Homes contacted him.  A week later, Andy Copeland had a contract. 

"Everything Pulte Homes is working on is 100 percent donated," said Ryan Lewis, vice president of construction operations for Pulte Homes.  "We, along with over 40 trade partners, have been working hard toward finishing Aimee's wing for when she returns."

A Team Effort

At this point, according to Lewis, the company is in the paint and drywall stage. This week they will be repouring the driveway, landscaping around the home, and putting the finishing touches on the exterior.  

Yesterday, the gas was turned on; today, crews will finish electrical projects. 

Soon, they will install barnwood paneling in Aimee Copeland's study. Because she is an avid lover of all things natural and wild, barnwood was the material of choice. She didn’t do more than mention it, however, and the idea was soon forgotten.

When the design team mentioned the possibility of adding barnwood paneling of their own accord, the family was thrilled.

In addition, the wing has recessed lighting and a wheelchair friendly bathroom. Her study has a lot of light and a large built-in bookcase. 

Moving Forward

Aimee Copeland will continue graduate school as planned, but her thesis has changed. Originally, she planned on writing a dissertation on wilderness therapy; now, her focus is wilderness therapy for amputees.

“With all the soldiers coming back,” said Andy Copeland, “she would have a very unique practice, very streamlined. It could even extend to quadriplegics and paraplegics.”

It would help people cope with their new lives and to be in nature at the same time, according to Copeland. 

Upstairs, a large room has been built specifically for his daughter's rehabilitation. He is looking at parallel bars or some other type of mechanism so that his daughter can learn to use her prosthetic legs. 

Because any type of mechanism would have to be specially designed for Aimee Copeland's needs, the costs can run high. 

Right now, her workout routine would be strenuous for people with no physical challenges: She is expected to do 200 crunches in seven minutes, 400 leg lifts in seven minutes, pushups, planks and sideplanks.

All of this is so that when she gets home, she can get herself in and out of her wheelchair and maneuver a walker. 

Every little bit offers a little more independence. And if you know Copeland, you know that is very important to her. 

For updates, follow Andy Copeland's blog, Aimee's Wing Facebook page, or Pulte Homes Twitter account.