Gwinnett Woman Who Battled Flesh-Eating Bacteria to Get Custom Van

Cindy Martinez’s recovery from multiple amputations due to flesh-eating bacteria will get a helping hand from a couple of local businesses.

The Dacula mother of two, who mysterious contracted the bacteria in May and received multiple amputations a month later, will receive a wheelchair-accessible van from AMS Vans and the Nalley Automotive Group.

Martinez, a former Marine and wife of Gwinnett County cop David Martinez, will be presented the van at AMS Vans’ Fall Fest on Oct. 24 in Tucker, according to a news release.

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The 2013 Chrysler Town and Country Touring was donated by Nalley Automotive Group and outfitted by AMS.

“Our annual Fall Fest for veterans and their families is a perfect way to gift the Martinez family with a van for her needs,” said Kip Crum, founder and CEO of the van company, located at 6275 Lawrenceville Highway. “We provide transportation for hundreds of people in wheelchairs, across the nation, and we definitely want to help Cindy who is right here in our hometown.”

Martinez was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and myositis, caused by flesh-eating bacteria, after she went to the Gwinnett Medical Center emergency room on May 25 with severe pain in her shoulder.

On June 25, after already enduring several operations, doctors amputated parts of her legs, an arm and fingers of the remaining hand.

AMS designed and installed a side-entry conversion to the Chrysler minivan as well as a non-slip powered ramp, lowered floor and wheelchair tie-downs that will allow Martinez a safe ride.

The community has come together with many efforts to help Cindy in her recovery. From social media to GoFundMe, people have connected with her story and have stepped up to help the mother of two. Recently, volunteers renovated the Martinez home in Dacula for wheelchair accessibility anticipating her return home.

How you can help

• GoFundMe: “Cindy Martinez Family Fund”
• Facebook: ”Support Cindy & David Martinez”

“The love and support has been outstanding,” David Martinez, who met Cindy while both were in the Marines, said in the news release. “ To see my fellow neighbors rally together during our time of need is just amazing. We are so grateful and blessed.”

AMS said mobility is always a concern for individuals with disabilities. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.2 million people in the U.S. depend on a wheelchair for day-to-day tasks and mobility.