Bethany Hamilton

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Bethany Hamilton was like many girls that grew-up in Hawaii, she surfed from a young age and became very talented in the sport.  At age 13, Hamilton had already entered several surfing competitions and was becoming as one the best surfers in the United States tragedy struck. Hamilton grew up in Hawaii to Thomas and Cherlyn Hamilton, who loved to surf and passed their love for surfing to their daughter. "Her parents were natives of New Jersey who moved to Hawaii partly to surf." ("Bethany Hamilton") "Bethany Hamilton was a 13-year-old surfer, and one of the best amateurs in the United States, when she was bitten by a shark while surfing in October of 2003." ("Bethany Hamilton") Hamilton lost her arm due to the shark attack. Despite losing her arm to a shark attack, Bethany Hamilton didn't throw in the towel when her life was turned on its head, instead she quickly began to learn to surf again so she could continue to do what she loves. "In January 2004, less than three months after the attack, Hamilton returned to surfing competition at Kailoa-Kona in Hawaii. In her first outing, she placed fifth." ("Bethany Hamilton")  While fifth place may have not been the place she was hoping for, her quick recovery was still amazing. Even though Bethany may have not gotten first place, she shows determination because she continues to surf in competitions today. "On Thursday, eleven years after losing her left arm during a shark attack, the inspirational 24-year-old won the Surf-N-Sea Pipeline Women's Pro, a major event in the realm of women's surfing." ("Bethany Hamilton Wins Pipeline Women's Pro Surf Competition, Continues To Inspire The World.") Today, bethany Hamilton continues to work hard to be able to surf and won't let the loss of her arm discourage her from doing what she loves. "Life is full of 'what ifs', you can't let what happens to you hold you back." (Bethany Hamilton) Bethany Hamilton is extremely resilient because she works hard to continue to do what she loves. Bethany Hamilton is a true hero because she is resilient, determined and inspires others through her story.

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Elizabeth Edwards said, "Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before." (Brainy Quote) Bethany Hamilton is a living example of this quote from Elizabeth Edwards, on top of accepting her new life with only one arm , Hamilton has made a incredible comeback into the world       

of surfing. She wouldn't let losing her arm discourage her from surfing."On Thursday, eleven years after losing her left arm during a shark attack, the inspirational 24-year-old won the Surf-N-Sea Pipeline Women's Pro, a major event in the realm of women's surfing." ( "Bethany Hamilton Wins Pipeline Women's Pro Surf Competition, Continues To Inspire The World.") Even eleven years after losing her arm, Bethany continues to never give up what she loves to do, and with the disadvantage of only having one arm she works extra hard to be able to compete with other surfers who have an edge over her. Still today, Bethany Hamilton continues to live her dreams of being a professional surfer and inspires the world through her resilience.

Bethany Hamilton doesn't throw in the towel when her life is turned on its head, instead she quickly gets back on the board to continue to do what she loves.

Bethany Hamilton's determination to continue to surf despite her circumstances, is an inspiration to others, because she maintains a positive outlook and great pride in what she does, so she. Bethany Hamilton is extremely determined to continue to do what she loves and works hard to be able to surf. "Despite a shark attack that took her left arm at age 13, her dedication has remained unwavering. Just one month after the tragic accident, Bethany was back on her surfboard to pursue her goal of becoming a professional surfer."("Bethany Hamilton.") Bethany Hamilton's dedication to surfing made her determined to come back, and she got back on the board in just one month after losing her arm. Hamilton loves to surf and wouldn't give it up, instead she works hard to be able to surf which gave her the drive to come back. Bethany Hamilton has pride in what she does and so to continue to be respected as a strong, hard working and determined surfer, she doesn't quit when her situation is difficult but instead works harder to be able to surf. She vowed that she would. "I'm definitely going to get back in the water," she said. "If I was like a person that just quit surfing after this, I wouldn't be a real surfer." (Biography Today)Bethany Hamilton quickly got back on to the board and continued to surf, because she has pride in surfing and wouldn't let the rest of the surfing community down by giving up instead she got back on the board to prove she works hard and deserves recognition for determination to get back on the board.  Bethany Hamilton shows determination through never quitting and fighting and working hard to get back on the board. She has pride in what she does and won't let her situation control how she lives her life. Bethany Hamilton shows she is determined through showing the world she will never give up even when her situation is difficult so can can continue to do what she loves.

Bethany Hamilton has been able to accept and prosper in her situation reaching more people with one arm than she could with two, she has been able to inspire and encourage others to live their dreams. "In 2013, Bethany co-hosted a weekend retreat with FOBH called, Beautifully Flawed. The weekend was aimed at inspiring and encouraging young women who have suffered the loss of a limb." (Hamilton, Bethany) Through the Friends of Bethany outreach, Bethany Hamilton has been able to talk with young adults and teenage girl amputees through a weekend retreat, and show them they are beautiful no matter how they look to others.  "Bethany is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story." (Hamilton, Bethany) Through organizations she has been able to help others, and through "Friends of Bethany" she has been able to reach out to other amputees and show them how beautiful they are. Through her fame she has been able to bring aid to causes such as helping amputee victims. Bethany Hamilton Inspires others through helping others through charities and organizations.

Bethany Hamilton has inspired many through her story of determination and bravery and inspires others to never give up on their dreams and to show how beautiful everyone is. Hamilton has written a book which has been created into a major motion picture, appeared on television shows, and has spoken to thousands of people but what makes Bethany Hamilton a true hero is her ability to never give in and come back fighting harder. Bethany Hamilton once said, "Life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone, you've got to just get back up. Because you never know what may be over the next wave." (Good Reads) Bethany's life has been quite a ride, from growing up in Hawaii to becoming an author to winning competitions, Hamilton's life has been eventful and incredibly inspirational.

Works Cited

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Hamilton, Bethany. "About Me." Bethany Hamilton Soul Surfer Professional Surfer Role   

Model Inspiration About Me Comments. Wasabi Hawaii/ Hawaii Life, 2010. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.

"Bethany Hamilton." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Biography in

Context. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.

"Bethany Hamilton." Bethany Hamilton (Biography Today) (2010): 1. Biography Reference

Center. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.

MAKERS. "Bethany Hamilton." MAKERS. MAKERS, 2015. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.

Herreria, Carla. "Bethany Hamilton Wins Pipeline Women's Pro Surf Competition,

Continues To Inspire The World." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com,

2015. Web. 28 Jan.2015.