ATLANTA (WXIA) -- The tragic death last week of Atlanta disabilities activist Frank Barham has become a galvanizing event for some in that community. It includes a young woman with her own well-known story of tragedy -- who wants to be among those completing Barham's work.
Since losing her hands and feet, Aimee Copeland has coped with her disability in part by becoming an activist for others like her..
"Before I got in a wheelchair, I didn't know about curb cuts and accessibility and 'oh you can't get on this bus,' Copeland said Monday.
Two weeks ago, Copeland's efforts put her in downtown Atlanta with Frank Barham -- another activist for those with disabilities. Barham was leaving Atlanta by wheelchair for a 300 mile trip to Savannah. Barham wheeled himself thirty miles a day through mostly rural Georgia.
Wednesday, Barham was killed when a tractor trailer slammed into the escort van rolling behind him on a state highway north of Savannah. Copeland says she lost a role model that day.
"What Frank did was this raw activism, which he's been doing forever," Copeland said. "He's been around. He told me some stories about chaining himself to buses back in the eighties."
Copeland lost her limbs to a flesh eating virus during a zip line excursion three years ago. She got re-fitted last week with some new prostheses. She's also enrolled in college and is getting a Masters degree. But she also wants to redouble her efforts on behalf of those with disabilities.
"I would definitely consider Frank someone to be looked up to and to emulate in my own activism," Copland said. "And I think he'll be honored through us continuing in his fight."
Prior to taking off for Savannah, Copeland said he gave her a bit of news benefiting Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, a provider of refurbished wheelchairs and other medical gear. Copeland is on FODAC's board of directors. "Right before he got on the mic, he whispered to me that he had just secured a deal with a wheelchair company that was going to get us a bunch more wheelchairs donated. Because we have a waiting list and he wanted to cut that waiting list down," Copeland said.
The accident that took Barham's life Wednesday also killed 36-year-old Margaret Kargbo of Atlanta -- and injured the van driver, 34-year-old Carrie Johnson. Charges are pending against the driver of the tractor trailer.
