Bethany Hamilton

Bethany before the attack. (http://www.people.com)

Everyone knows someone who they look up to or want to be like. These people are called your heroes. My hero is Bethany Hamilton. She is my hero because she is very courageous, brave, and good-hearted. She was born and grew up in Kauai, Hawaii. When she was just four years old, her parents taught her how to surf. All her life she had one dream, to become a professional surfer.

Bethany after the attack. (http://www.nationalgeographic.com)

When Bethany was thirteen, disaster struck. On October 31, 2003, Bethany was surfing with her friend Alana and Alana’s father. Bethany was about a quarter of a mile out in the ocean, when suddenly a fourteen foot tiger shark bit off her left arm. Bethany was rushed to Wilcox Memorial Hospital by helicopter. She lost a dangerous amount of blood. Despite the accident, Bethany was determined to surf again. Approximately three weeks after the incident, Bethany got on a long board, and caught a wave. Bethany was very brave to get back in the water and surf again.

Bethany at the Teen Choice Awards. (www.tribuneindia.com)

Bethany accomplished many things before and after the attack. When she was still in Elementary School she entered her first surfing contest. At the age of eight, she entered her first major competition, taking first place. In 1999, at the age of nine, she got her first sponsor, Ripcurl. Since the attack, she appeared on many shows including 20/20, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey show, and the Ellen DeGeneres show. She won an ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete of the Year, and a Teen Choice Award, all in 2004. Also in 2004 she published a book called Soul Surfer. She also has a documentary out. Bethany has accomplished many things.

Bethany surfing. (news.bbc.co.uk)

There are several ways Bethany is important to me. She is a role model, and many people look up to her. Even though she lost her arm, she didn’t feel sorry for herself, and she kept moving forward. She got back into the water and surfed again. Bethany is very brave. She has gone through tradegies, learned from them and kept moving on, two arms or one. She didn’t let the tiger shark taking her arm stop her from accomplishing her dream, becoming a professional surfer. Her bravery shows that nothing can stop her from what she wants to do in life.

Bethany's book. (www.msnbc.msn.com)

Bethany has made a big difference in my life. She has showed me that no matter what happens to you, your can't let it stop you from what you want to do or accomplish in life. She has also showed me how to look at things in a better perspective. She got back in the water, continued to surf, and stayed in the water. Her story helped me learn to be braver, and to get through many things. She has made a difference by showing me how to not let anything or anyone break me down.

I think Bethany has made a difference in many peoples' lives. I think she showed and taught many people the same things she showed and taught me. Many people have heard her story, and many people probably look up to her. I think she impacted the world with her story, and impacted the lives of many different people in the world. Bethany explained to people that you shouldn't give up your dreams. Bethany’s story will live on forever in the hearts of anyone who has been impacted by her struggles and successes.