Bethany Hamilton

(bethanyhamilton.com)

Bethany Hamilton is a true hero. She overcame a major setback, getting her arm amputated because of a shark attack and was able to go on with her dreams and accomplish everything she wished to.

Bethany Hamilton is a professional surfer who survived a shark attack in which she lost her left arm. As a child, Bethany lived on the tropical island of Kauai, Hawaii, and learned to surf between the ages of 2-5. At the age of 13 on October 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14 foot tiger shark during a surfing trip with her best friend, Alana Blanchard and Alana's family. By the time Bethany got to the hospital she had lost more than 60% of her blood.  Bethany was in the hospital for about one week for the recovery. One month after the attack, Bethany was determined to get back in the water and eventually started getting back into surfing competitions. She continues to pursue her dream, even though she had a major setback in her life.

Bethany Hamilton's board after shark attack (Google Images)

Bethany Hamilton makes a difference in people's lives because she teaches them to never give up. Even with one arm, she never thought of giving up on her dream. Like she said, "I don't want easy, I just want possible," and that is what many people love about Bethany, she is very determined to get what she wants in life. As time went on, Bethany got used to having only one arm and is very successful in her surfing career today.

(Google Images ())

Never giving up is Bethany's motto.  Even though she went through a terrible tragedy, she never gave up and that is why so many people look up to her as a role model and their inspiration in life. Many people did not know about Bethany's story until her hit movie and book, Soul Surfer, came out in bookstores everywhere in 2006 and in theaters in 2011. Unstoppable and brave, Bethany is both of those traits and those are two of the many reasons why she is so many people's hero.

Bethany Hamilton, a brave professional surfer, but also a hero to many has inspired many people not to give up, and she lives by that motto, even after a major setback in her life. As Bethany said, " A small step in a good direction," is always good.