The father of a young Georgia woman battling a flesh-eating disease says his daughter has spoken for the first time since she was taken to an Augusta hospital weeks ago for treatment.

Writing on his Facebook page, Andy Copeland declared Sunday "Aimee Day," saying: "Our baby can talk."

No further details were available, but by Monday morning more than 100 well-wishers had posted encouraging comments.

Twenty-four-year-old Aimee Copeland developed necrotizing fasciitis after cutting her leg in a May 1 fall from a homemade zip line over a west Georgia river. Her left leg, other foot and both hands have been amputated.

She began breathing on her own last week and was able to sit up in a chair on Thursday.