AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - 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.

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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.