Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton Headshot (http://www.healthista.com/womens-sport-round-up-6/ ())

"Life is like surfing, when you get caught in the impact zone you need to get right back up because you never know what's over the next wave, and if you have faith anything is possible. Anything at all." -Bethany Hamilton. This part of Bethany's motivational and inspirational speech explains how to overcome obstacles using faith and strength. This is exactly what Bethany Hamilton did after her terrible accident. Bethany grew up on the small island of Kauai, Hawaii. It is very different from the mainland, United States, because there are no big buildings or fun amusement parks, so the islands are not a place for everyone. But for the Hamilton family, it's their home. Both her parents, Thomas and Cherilyn Hamilton, have a huge passion for surfing, which only carried on through the bloodline to Bethany and both of her older brothers, Noah and Timmy. By the time she was 13, she was ranked in the top 10 in the world of her age of surfers. Bethany's future looked promising until Halloween morning of 2003, Bethany Hamilton's life changed forever. She was surfing at a local beach called Tunnels when a shark bit off her left arm up to the armpit. Bethany Hamilton soon learned that she had lost her whole arm and now it was only a stump with an armpit. After a difficult surgery and recovery, Bethany did not stop working toward her goal of becoming a professional surfer. Just like what her quote says she was "caught in the impact zone" but she "got right back up"("Biography Reference Center"). A hero must demonstrate the ability to be comfortable in their own skin and to always be strong and never back down to anything. Bethany Hamilton is a hero because she is an unyielding fighter who doesn't quit for anything, a strong independent women, and also exemplifies determination to do better and succeed in everything she does.

(http://surf.transworld.net/1000157356/news/bethany ())

Bethany Hamilton was a fighter before, during, and after the shark attack. After Bethany's arm was bitten off by the fierce tiger shark and noticed she was swimming in her own pool of blood, she fought hard to save her life. "I was young and in great physical shape, the cut had been direct rather than a ragged tear, and my calmness had kept my heartbeat slow enough to keep the severed artery from quickly draining my blood supply" (Hamilton page 124). At this point, Bethany was fighting to keep herself living. She started paddling to shore right when she saw blood and couldn't see her arm anymore. She stayed calm and kept her nerves in control, with a slow heartbeat while Mr. Holt sped to the hospital. Doing that, the doctor later told her had saved her because she didn't lose too much blood. Bethany miraculously fought through her tragic situation that later had saved her life. Bethany Hamilton continued to fight to get back on the board and start surfing again after recovering. Her hard work definitely paid off, "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 to participate in surfing competitions and personal appearances" (Speed). Even after having a traumatic accident, Bethany Hamilton battled through all the surgeries and difficulties. Now since she had only one arm, everything would be harder for her, but still, she didn't give up. She didn't sorrow in her own pity or get others to feel sorry for her, she just kept working hard. Eventually it paid off because just a few weeks after the attack she figured out new strategies and skills to help her stand up on the board. Bethany was a fighter throughout her terrible tragedy, not only fighting for her life, but she also fought to surf again.

Throughout all the obstacles in her life, Bethany stayed strong and never wallowed in sadness. After Bethany's surgery she remained strong, and didn't let the small stump on her arm phase her. "Hamilton's reaction to what would have been a devastating game-changer for most 13-year-olds is a testament to how her life has played out since then. 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). After losing an arm and having surgery, most people would be upset ,or mad, or maybe even depressed, but Bethany Hamilton was a strong young women and stayed positive. Ever since she was a baby her parents raised her to be strong in everything she did and connect with God, which is what she did after the surgery. Bethany is also strong in a way where she pushes herself even if she thinks she can't do it."Hamilton doesn't necessarily see herself as brave. When asked how she was able to overcome her obstacles, she almost shrugs it off. 'I guess I just like to challenge myself and push myself harder to do things that I don't think I can, to do things that other people do not think I can. It pushes me. I push my own personal limits'" (Speed). She doesn't feel bad for herself or try to get others to pity her, which shows how she is a strong independent woman. Even when people ask her how she did it so smoothly, the answer is simply because she is a tough person who did not let such a devastating thing affect her. Bethany Hamilton started strong when she rode her first wave at the age of five, continued to be strong through the whole process of losing her arm, and still to this day remains to be a strong independent woman.

(http://surf.transworld.net/1000157356/news/bethany ())

Bethany was a very determined child and had dreams of doing what she loved most, a professional surfer. She was determined to become a pro surfer when she was only a small toddler. "She began surfing when she was 5; by the time she was in grade school, she was entering competitions--and winning. By the time she was 13, competitive surfing had already become a way of life and her family was solidly behind her" (Gale Biography in Context). At a young age of 5 she was already determined to become a professional surfer. Bethany was so determined, that she worked very hard to achieve her dreams, by winning competitions. She also started competitively surfing. Before her teenage years, Bethany Hamilton's dreams were in sight. Of course, she thought that her goals slipped from her fingers when she awoke after surgery, but Bethany was still determined to reach her goals and become a pro surfer. "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" (Gale Biography in Context). Just because she lost her arm, it didn't stop Bethany Hamilton to leave her dreams behind. Her passion for surfing was so strong it only made her more determined to surf again, and eventually, it paid off. She is now living her dreams, not really how she imagined with one arm, but competes all around the world and shows the stump on her arm off graciously. Bethany has been determined all her life, starting from a young age, and it didn't stop after the awful obstacle in her life.

Overall, Bethany Hamilton exemplifies the characteristics of being a hero. She is a fierce fighter that fought for her life, a strong woman, and is also determined to succeed in everything she does. When she realized that a shark had attacked her she fought for her life. After she healed, she continued to fight and get back doing what she loves to do. Also, she is an amazingly strong human being that strives to help others, "It's hard to go anywhere and not worry about people recognizing me. Your privacy is pretty much diminished. But I just have to believe that I am going to help people through this. The best thing about fame is that I can share my story and bring hope to other people" (Speed). She isn't doing what she does for the fame or popularity, but simply to genuinely help someone who is in a similar situation as her. She shared her story to the whole world in hopes of helping at least one person and doing that, she helped and inspired so many people. Lastly, Bethany Hamilton, has been a very determined person who pushes her own limits and never gives up under pressure. Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration to me because she is the type of person who doesn't let what people say about her arm or situation affect her. I look up to how athletic she is and how she rebounded so easily from a misfortune, without a tear. People can aspire to be more like Bethany Hamilton in their everyday lives by helping other people when they're in a tough position. You can also muster up strength when something horrifying happens, push through obstacles that get in your way and not let one moment define your life.