Bethany Hamilton

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"I just kind of grew up with an amazing lifestyle of knowing God and having a personal relationship with him and being able to surf some of the best waves in the world," Hamilton says. "And then I started competing and was doing really well as an amateur surfer."("Bethany Hamilton"). Bethany Hamilton's faith is what helped her through her accident. She is religious and was very close to her local church pastor before the accident. After the shark attack, she was in the hospital for a few weeks and struggled to do regular tasks but her faith is what helped her get through it. "Growing up in a Christian home was a huge blessing for me. At a young age I was introduced to what Jesus Christ has done for all of mankind. Through his death and resurrection on the cross, He provides the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. This gives me hope in the future that I have as a Christian. As rough times come my way, like when I lost my arm to the shark, and as life throws challenging curve balls, I take joy and am grounded in God's promises found in His Word, the Bible. I still hold fast to his truths today."(Bethany Hamilton)  Bethany Hamilton has always been dependent on God. She always has looked for help from him. He inspired her to work to continue her dreams as a professional surfer. Even through the tragedy, Bethany Hamilton remained positive."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, Marie).  Bethany Hamilton showed that she is faithful by saying that during the time of her accident, she kept her mind on the thought of her family and her faith.  Bethany Hamilton's faith in God is what helped her remain positive throughout the tragedy.

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Bethany Hamilton showed bravery by getting back to surfing after the shark attack. After the shark attack and throughout her recovery, she could have given up. "She made it to the hospital, survived a tremendous loss of blood, and her story went around the world, the way shark attack stories always do. But the difference in Bethany Hamilton's story is what happened later, when she stopped being the shark attack survivor and started being the inspiration."(Speed,Marie) This shows that Bethany is brave because losing your arm to anyone would be a situation to panic in, but shockingly, young thirteen year old Bethany Hamilton was pretty calm throughout the traumatic experience. She was able to continue surfing and created her career and fan base by showing off her unique talent of surfing with only one arm. Bethany Hamilton's bravery has led to her becoming a successful surfer with her only having one arm. "Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of determination, faith and hope. During a surf session on Halloween morning 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, which bit off her left arm and seemed to end her career as a rising surf star. Just one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water and just over a year later won her first National title. In 2007, she realized her dream of surfing professionally"(Bethany Hamilton). Bethany Hamilton has showed that she is brave by getting back on the board. She has continued her life as normal. She didn't feel bad for herself, she just kept moving on towards her future as if nothing happened. Not only has Bethany Hamilton succeeded in surfing, but she also has succeeded in her personal life. "I've been thinking about it, but I often forget that I have one arm," she said. "When I think about it, a squirming baby and changing the diaper ... I think how I live life, just adjust and adapt to different things, especially things that are a lot easier with two arms."(UPI). This shows that Bethany is brave because she is having a baby and she is scared that having one arm will affect her skills as a mother, yet, she is still having a baby and is excited about it. She doesn't let her fears get in the way of her future. Bethany Hamilton showed bravery before, during, and after the shark attack and even to this day she shows bravery as she prepares to become a mother.

Bethany Hamilton is successful because she never gave up on her dreams and continued her dream as a professional surfer and she even started her own family, she still has her friends and now a husband. Bethany Hamilton has proven that she will be a successful surfer regardless of her disability. She has won many awards since the shark attack including the most recent first  Place  SURF N SEA PIPELINE PRO - North Shore in  Oahu, Hawaii (Bethany Hamilton).  She was determined to be successful in spite of her disability. In addition to her surfing awards, she also won awards for her determination and popularity."In July 2004, Hamilton won the ESPY Award for "Best Comeback Athlete." She was presented with a special courage award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards."(Speed,Marie). Even though she lost her arm, she continued to do the things she loved and succeeded to be the professional surfing star she is today.Bethany Hamilton is a hero because she became a successful surfer even though she only had one arm. To lose your everyday life of surfing and being creative on waves, enjoying the ocean - that's scary to me," she says. "It was essential to at least try surfing again and get out there and see how it went." Luckily for Hamilton, her resilience paid off. She is now living out her dreams as a professional surfer. "It's exciting just to see how life works out," she says, "and how good can come out of bad situations."(NPR) Bethany Hamilton has always been dependent on God. She has looked for help from him. She does charity work and continues to inspire others with her inspiring story.Bethany Hamilton is a fighter, she didn't let anything stop her from achieving her dreams even when it all seemed impossible. Bethany Hamilton is successful because she didn't let the accident get in the way of her future. She still became a professional surfer, she got tons of sponsors, she has lots of charities, and she's starting her own family.  "Three weeks after her accident, Hamilton was back in the ocean, surfing again, this time with a modified board that made it easier to paddle with one arm. Before long, she began surfing competitively again, and now travels around the world for surfing competitions and personal appearances. In July 2004, Hamilton won the ESPY Award for "Best Comeback Athlete." She was presented with a special courage award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards. In 2005, Hamilton won the NSSA National Championships and in 2008, she began competing full time in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series (WQS)." ("Speed Marie")" Even though she lost her arm, she continued to do the things she loved and succeeded to be the professional surfing star she is today. "Three weeks after her accident, Hamilton was back in the ocean, surfing again, this time with a modified board that made it easier to paddle with one arm. Before long, she began surfing competitively again, and now travels around the world for surfing competitions and personal appearances. In July 2004, Hamilton won the ESPY Award for "Best Comeback Athlete." She was presented with a special courage award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards. In 2005, Hamilton won the NSSA National Championships and in 2008, she began competing full time in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series (WQS). "She is successful because she's starting a family, is also considered a professional surfer. She hasn't let the idea of losing  her arm get in the way of her future.

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