Bethany Hamilton

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Courage, faith, adaptability, and hope are qualities that a hero possesses. Heroes are people that others look up to. Everyone has a hero. My hero is Bethany Hamilton. Bethany Hamilton is a surfer.

Bethany Hamilton was born February 8, 1990 in Hanuai, Hawaii. Her parents taught her to surf when she was a toddler. She really got into surfing when her parents entered her in a surfing contest and she won. Then on October 31, 2003, when she was surfing with some friends on Halloween, she was attacked. A fourteen-foot tiger shark attacked Bethany as she was surfing. Bethany lost 60% of her blood and lost her left arm. Bethany had to relearn to surf after she lost her arm. Her balance was off since she was missing an arm.

Yet she did not give up the sport she loved. In January 2004 she entered another competition. The judges were willing to give her special judging. Bethany said she wished to be judged like everyone else. She placed fifth in the Open Women’s Division. She also won the ESPY Award for comeback athlete. Bethany has written many books. They are Soul Surfer, Rise Above, Soul Surfer Bible, Devotions for the Soul Surfer, and Ask Bethany. Bethany also placed first in Explorer’s Women Division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships. Bethany Hamilton is a faithful Christian. She has created her own line of jewelry, fragrances, and cosmetics.

Bethany Hamilton inspires me by her determination, even when she was attacked by a shark and lost her left arm. She didn’t want to be treated different when she came back to surf again. Losing her arm didn’t stop her from doing what she loved. She just got right back on her board. I learned from Bethany that you should never give up. She proved that she could still surf with one arm. Her determination will help me with my goals in life. Bethany Hamilton never gave up on her dreams. She continued to reach for the stars.

Bethany Hamilton had courage, faith, adaptability, and hope like a true hero. People look up to her for her extraordinary accomplishments. She shows everyone that that should never give up on their dreams. Bethany Hamilton is a true hero.