Bethany Hamilton

Bethany shortly after the attack, at age 13. (http://www.thinglink.com/scene/469546827046191106 (Thing Link))

"Life is like surfing, when you fall in the impact zone, get up, because you never know what's over the next wave" (Quotes about Bethany). Bethany Hamilton is a surfer who inspires the world with her bravery. Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8th, 1990 in Lihue Hawaii (Bethany Hamilton Profile). She is a professional surfer, a speaker, an author, and the founder of the friends of Bethany Hamilton Foundation (Bethany Hamilton Profile). When she was just 13 years old, a 14 foot long tiger shark took Bethany's left arm and was supposed to end her surfing career (Bethany Hamilton Profile). She was, however, able to learn how to surf again and compete competitively. In 2012, when she was 23 years old, she married Adam Dirks (Bethany Hamilton Gale). She is still surfing competitively even after having a baby. A hero must possess the courage to face their fears and the resiliency to handle defeat in order to be an inspiration. Bethany Hamilton is a hero because despite her trials and difficulties, she learned to be courageous and humble, inspiring the world to face challenge with ease.

Bethany Hamilton displays courage and bravery by using her traumatic experience to push her forward. Hamilton explains what helped her through this when she said: "'Shark attacks are very rare, and that was not really my issue going back in the water. It was more whether or not I would be able to surf again. My love of surfing just pushed me to go try again'" (Speed). Hamilton shows courage in her speech as she places passion before fear, describing that her love of surfing is much more tremendous than a chance encounter. Something as traumatic as a shark attack can place people in a mental state where they are unable to see past the darkness they have previously encountered, but as Hamilton says herself, the love of the game surpasses the fear that comes along with playing. Bethany admits to difficult times, for example when: "Although Hamilton credited her family, particularly her father, for helping her get back on the board, she said the transition from two arms to one was far from easy" (Verdisco). When she lost her arm, Bethany lost part of her physical existence, and as any human, she felt repercussions. That is where she distinguished herself from an average being, because true heroes, like Bethany, do not admit to being invincible, but rather resilient to their obstacles. Using the support around her and harnessing the positive energy in her life, Hamilton showed the world how courageous she is by getting back out there. Someone as resilient as Bethany shows the world the importance of courage as she continues to battle for what she so badly wants to do.

Bethany Hamilton holding a surfboard (http://www.bellaonline.com/review/issues/fall2012/ (Lisa Shea))

Bethany Hamilton is an astounding picture of humility, showcasing her selflessness even when she herself needed the most help. Her effect on others is shown as she demonstrated resiliency following the attack: "She did not spiral into self-pity or depression or a lifelong career as a victim. Instead, she connected with the values instilled by her parents" (Speed). In the face of adversity, everyone has two options: to give in to surrounding forces or to push past daunting failures. Bethany chose to avoid living as a "lifelong victim", moving forward with life without the boundaries of trauma preventing her from truly living. Her effect on others continues to prove her resiliency as Hamilton herself explains: "'I focused on the things that were really important to me at that time-my faith in Jesus Christ, my family, being grateful that I was still alive and that I could survive such a traumatic event'" (Speed). By focusing on what remained in her life, Bethany turned a deadly disaster into an inspiring evolution of character. She quite literally showed the world that you can experience loss without devastation, the human definition of resiliency. Focusing on what she had rather than what she lost, Bethany proved her astounding character, as well as the importance of resiliency in tragic situations.

Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration to the world because she showed everyone that anything is possible with a positive outlook. Hamilton's key to success was her ability to move past the shark attack that was set to define her: "The Hawaii native continued to make headlines when she decided to return to the water within one month after the attack" (Verdisco). An inspiration to all because of her sheer courage and resiliency, Bethany defied the odds of emotional, mental, and physical laws as she went back in the water as fast as she got out. Regardless of what was said to define her, Bethany proved herself an inspiration the moment she became more than the underdog- when she became the hero, not in spite of her origin, but by embracing it. In one final hoorah, Bethany lends a few words of wisdom that she learned from personal experience: "Bad things are bound to happen to everyone. That's life. Here's my advice: don't put all your hope and faith into something that could suddenly and easily disappear. And honestly, that's almost anything" (My Story). In life, negative situations cannot be avoided, but they can be dealt with. In a classic revision of the same old saying, Bethany tells others to appreciate what they have, but to avoid putting all their marbles in the same jar. In other words, devotion is important, great, but being overly devoted can easily result in extreme devastation. Since she had to learn to deal with loss herself, Bethany is able to inspire those around her through positive encouragement in the form of both actions and words.

Bethany Hamilton surfing (http://backtochurch.com/about/press_release/bethan ())

Bethany Hamilton's endless courage and resiliency ultimately deem her an inspiration. Hamilton survived a shark attack, but refused to fall victim to that shark. She left the world wondering how she got back up so fast, because even the strongest of us desire allowed weakness. Bethany Hamilton personally inspires me because of her resilient attitude. It is very easy to give up when something does not go the way I expected, but with a positive mindset and the willingness to learn, I can face any challenge head on, similar to Bethany. I have learned from her that it is more important to try and fail, than to never try at all. She can teach us all a lesson based solely on her actions, because as a shark attack survivor and thriver, she put excuses aside, replacing the pity vote with hard work. The greatest heroes are not known for what they have done, but for what they have allowed others to do, and as I reflect on Bethany, I see that she has opened up the world to the power of a positive attitude. As a hero, a human, and a survivor, we can all look to Hamilton as enough reason to move forward in life, putting ourselves in the position to think: How can I keep going?

Works Cited "Bethany Hamilton." Bethany Hamilton (Biography Today) (2010): 1. Biography Reference Center. 6 May 2016. "Bethany Hamilton." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Biography in Context. 06 May 2016. "Bethany Hamilton | Profile." Bethany Hamilton. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016. . Linda Barnard Toronto, Star. "Heroic surfer Bethany Hamilton just doing what I love'." Toronto Star (Canada) n.d.:Newspaper Source. 6 May 2016. "MY STORY." Bethany Hamilton. N.p., n.d. 06 May 2016. "Quotes About Bethany Hamilton." (3 Quotes). N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2016. . "Your Personal Best: Bethany Hamilton Is Back on the Board." SUCCESS. N.p., 02 Jan. 2010. Web. 18 May 2016. . Verdisco, Samantha. "SHE'S AN INSPIRATION; Bethany Hamilton lost an arm in a shark attack when she was just 13. Did she let that keep her out of the water? No way!" Tampa Bay Times [St. Petersburg, FL] 14 May 2015: 13. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. 6 May 2016.