Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton (http://starbulletin.com/2003/11/21/news/art2c.jpg)

The definition of a hero may vary from person to person. To me a hero is someone who has overcome a life changing experience and has come out of it a different, but better person. The person I regard as my hero is Bethany Hamilton. Bethany Hamilton has overcome a shark attack and was back in the water a year later. She also worked very hard to try to be able to surf with one arm. Bethany Hamilton can be noted as a hero for her achievements.

Bethany Hamilton at the Teen Choice Awards (http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/bethany-hamilton-2004-teen-choice-awards-arrivals-1XMDDL.jpg)

Bethany Hamilton has accomplished many things in her career as well as in her personal life. Bethany went to her first competition when she was 11. She placed first in the long and short board competition. The summer of 2003 brought a victory for Bethany. Bethany placed second at her competition in the Open Women’s Division of the National Scholastic Surfing Association. Also, in 2004, Bethany placed before a leading competitor, Carissa Moore. Bethany has done many amazing things in her career, but also in her personal life. She is kind to anyone and everyone. She loves going to the beach, catching some waves, and being with the people she loves. Bethany is a fun-loving kind of girl who opens herself up to God. God was a major part of Bethany’s family.

Bethany was born on February 8, 1990. she was born in Kauai, Hawaii. She was born into a family of professional surfers. Bethany says, "My parents put me on a surf board when I was a toddler.” She could surf before she could walk. It has been her passion from day one. Her parents, Tom and Cheri have been supporting her ever since she was 11, and went to her first competition. Bethany and her family put Christ first in everything they do. She prayed to God that he would, “use her for big things.” That’s exactly what he did.

(http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2003/Nov/01/homepage_b.jpg)

The day of the attack, was just like any other day. Bethany and her dad took a drive down to the beach to go surfing. Bethany didn’t like the waves there, so they decided to go somewhere else. When they arrived at the second beach, Bethany saw her friend Alana and Alana’s father. They decided to all paddle out and go surfing together. Bethany was a little farther out than Alana and her dad because she wanted to catch the good waves. They were about ¼ of a mile away from the beach, which is about 20 minutes. Bethany was sitting on her surf board when all of a sudden she said she felt a pull on her arm. Immediately she knew what was happening. A 14-foot tiger shark had bitten off her arm. Lucky for her the shark went away. She knew just what to do. She shouted to Alana that she had just been attacked by a shark. They paddled toward her and then pulled her into shore. Bethany watched the water around her turn red with blood. She remained calm the entire time. She was strong on the outside, but crushed on the inside.

This is Bethany Hamilton surfing with one arm. (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/images/0606/bethany-hamilton.jpg)

When Bethany got into the hospital, her parents explained that she looked very pale because of all the blood she lost. Bethany was feeling down and didn’t know if she would ever get onto a surfboard again. She says, ”For a while I doubted I would ever surf again." Bethany explains, “Some people thought that I might be afraid to go back into the ocean ever again. But to be honest, I didn’t really have any fear of that.” Bethany told her dad that she wanted to be a photographer for pro surfers, because that might be the only way she could stay close to what she loved. She also told her friend Sarah “I guess I’ll have to get back into soccer.” Her doctor said she couldn’t go back into the water until she was all healed up. Bethany set a deadline for herself to surf again, Thanksgiving.

The day before Thanksgiving, Bethany and her friends went to the beach. She knew she couldn’t resist going in the water. Bethany’s brother’s Tim and Noah went along too. They brought video cameras and recorded Bethany surfing. At first, Bethany couldn’t get on the board and quickly became discouraged. But with a little cheering on from her father in the water, Bethany attempted once more. She got on the board and was surfing, only for about 3 seconds but she felt great! She felt like there was hope for her anyway. She got on her board again. Bethany explains, “It was like coming back home after a long, long trip.” Bethany also says,” it’s hard for me to describe the joy I felt after I stood up and rode a wave in for the first time after the attack.” Bethany’s family and friends were more than proud of her.

Although Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, and suffered from the loss of a limb, nothing could keep her out of the water. Bethany was just an average 13 year old girl when it happened and now she is known as the Best Comeback Athlete. Fear should never keep someone back from doing what they love. Bethany Hamilton is a great example of this. She wasn’t even afraid when she went in the water for the first time after the accident. That takes major courage. Bethany Hamilton gets looked upon as a hero by anyone who has a disability or thinks they can’t do anything. Bethany is teaching people that if you want something bad enough, then go for it. Follow your dreams and don’t let fear keep you from them.