Bethany Hamilton
by Pardis from San Diego
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| (www.success.com ()) |
"It's not about how many times you get knocked down that counts, it's about how many times you get back up" (Hamilton). As Bethany Hamilton went through the tragedy of losing her arm, she never lost her faith and continued toward becoming a professional surfer. Bethany was just another thirteen year old teenage girl with a passion for surfing, and lost one of her arm during a tragic surfing accident; however, she passed all the obstacles she faced and conquered her fear. Bethany Hamilton was born on February 9, 1990 in Hawaii, and started surfing at age of five. Bethany and her friend were known as "Dawn Squad" and they liked to surf early in the morning. On Halloween day in 2003, Hamilton, was attacked by an tiger shark and lost her left arm. She never cried once after that tragic accident happened, and everyone was amazed by her braveness, but ultimately she returned to the water and started surfing. She received numerous awards and became a media sensation. She possesses the trait of selflessness by helping others and giving them courage that they can do anything despite the challenges they face. She showed people that anyone can achieve their dream even if they get caught in the impact zone, by going back into the water and keeping up her passion for surfing. She taught people that nothing is impossible which gave her the name "soul surfer". Bethany Hamilton is an inspirational hero because she embodies bravery by jumping back into the shark-inhibited water, perseveres to achieve her dream, and selflessly teaches others that they can do anything despite challenges.
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| (article.lulutrip.com ()) |
Bethany Hamilton had faith in herself and did not let fear stop her from getting back into the water. Bethany had a strong passion for surfing and after that tragic surfing accident, she didn't give up: " I would never wallow or walk around moaning "Woe is me," and she would get back on her surfboard"(Holmberg). Instead of being dragged by her disabilities, she went on with her life and went back into the water. She believed that anyone can do anything and nothing is impossible. She took all her disadvantages and made them into strength. After she went back into the water, Hamilton wanted to pursue on catching the waves and be the best she could be at surfing: 'Do you need a push?' I shouted. 'No, Dad,' she yelled back. 'I need to do this myself "' (Hamilton). Even though Bethany had a hard time getting on the surfboard as the waves slammed into her, she never asked for help. She accepted her disability and made the best out of it. She put all her efforts to get on the board which made her believe that she can do anything if she works hard for it. She overcame adversity by positive thinking and hard work. After she went back into the water she didn't let her fear stop her from doing what she has the passion for.Even though the events she lived for were traumatic, she never gave up on her dream. After only a couple of practices, Hamilton started to surf competitively again: "Within months, Bethany was back on her surfboard. She continues to pursue her dream of becoming a professional surfer and has entered numerous contests" (Berson). After one month, her health improved and she didn't wait till someone told her to go back to surfing and because of her faith and passion for surfing she believed she could do anything and become professional. She went back to water not to grab people's attention, but because her heart desired to. After Bethany went back on the surfboard, she practiced and got used to handling the board only with one arm. With only a few practices now, she was able to surf competitively and win many awards. She never lost her faith or courage during her recovery and that helped her to achieve her dream. The fondness she has toward surfing helped her to keep up her dream."Her strong faith, determination, and love for ocean inspired her to continue to follow her dream of becoming a professional surfer" (Sheknows). As Bethany practiced and learned new and challenging skills, it made her feel more accomplished and forget about her disability. Bethany said, "Every time I would go out there, I would learn something new...I kept practicing just on smaller waves, just standing up and figuring out how to catch it and all that and each time I felt better and better about my surfing" (Holmberg). She never gave up on surfing even though it was really tough for her to handle the surfboard only with one arm. Instead, she practiced and learned new and challenging techniques during difficult times, and it made her feel better about her surfing and herself. These challenges helped her to succeed in surfing and also in life. Having faith and courage helps you through difficult times and achieve your dreams.
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| (hawaii.wish.org ()) |
Bethany Hamilton's unwillingness to fail and accept her losses changed others lives through her foundation that impacted people around the world. She passes on the lesson she learned from the tragic accident to the children who have the same fear as she had: "She went to Thailand with an organization called World Vision to help young children who'd been devastated by the tsunami disaster. Drawing on her own experience, she helped them overcome their fear of the ocean" ("Bethany Hamilton"). Bethany Hamilton went around the world not to just visit but help the kids who went through what she went through and inspired them. She encouraged kids who were affected by tsunami disasters and helped them overcome their fear of water. To inspire them that they can do anything and nothing is impossible. Bethany has joined other charity foundation to help disabled children to follow their dream, no matter how hard it seems and learn to deal with pain and loss. "She has teamed up with the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision to raise money for disabled children all around the world"(Charity Work & Causes). Bethany wants kids to have faith in themselves and not let their disabilities take control of their life. She provides support through retreats, meetings, and inspirational speeches. Bethany inspires and impacts others so they can have a successful future. She also encouraged student to live for god and use their passion to overcome the obstacles in life.Bethany Hamilton is more than just a soul surfer; she impacted many lives through her inspirational speeches. She did everything she could to persuade others about her passion for surfing. Bethany Hamilton is a strong and brave young woman, who after that tragic surfing accident, she returned back into the shark-inhibited water. She never let her fear take over her dream. She accepted her disability and decided to continue her passion for surfing. She became a professional surfer and won awards for her talents. Bethany Hamilton has inspired me and others through her faith and courage. I learned that I can do anything and can overcome all my fear and challenges through any problem. We can't let anything or anyone keep us down; we have to try to keep our head up and be strong. Anything is possible; we just have to believe in ourselves and have faith. She inspired me that I can do anything that I love and have the passion for, even if my life is upside down and everything is going wrong. Because of her courage and faith in herself and seeing the picture of nothing is impossible even if your life is upside down, Bethany Hamilton represents the true definition of a hero.
Work Cited
"Action Sports' Most Influential Women: Bethany Hamilton, Professional Surfer | Transworld Business." Transworld Business. All Rights Reserved, 09 Aug. 2011. Web. 04 Feb. 2016.
Bergeson, Laine. "No Fear: Bethany Hamilton on Finding Your Courage." Experience Life.N.P
01 May 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2016
Hamilton, Tom. "Surfer Bethany Hamilton's Strong Faith After Shark Attack."Guideposts. N.p., 02 Mar. 2011. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
Holmberg, Sara. "Surfer Girl Rides Waves Again After Losing Arm from Shark Attack." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
Page created on 2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
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