BETHANY HAMILTON-by Miguel López

BETHANY HAMILTON

Bethany was born on the 8th of February in 1990 in Hawaii. She belongs to a surfer  family so she began surfing when she was very young. When she was only eight years old, Bethany  participated in her first surf competition.

The 31 of October 2003, Bethany was attacked by a very big shark while she was surfing. Because of the attack, Bethany lost a part of her left arm and also more than the  60% of her blood. In spite of this horrible accident Bethany didn´t give up in her dream of being a profesional surfer and only just one month after the attack she returned to the water and continued surfing.

In 2004, Bethany returned to surf competitions. Just over a year after the attack she won the 1st place in a very important competition. Since losing her arm, Bethany’s story has been told in lots of TV programs because she is an example of hope and effort. Also, in 2011 her story was told in a movie called “Soul Sourfer”. It teaches us that, despite the problems, if we really want we can make our dreams come true.

Out of the water, Bethany has been an example for many people with similar problems, that after knowing her story have fought to make their dreams come true. In order to help this kind of people she has made her own foundation called “Friends of Bethany”, which helps shark attack survivors and people without legs and arms.

Nowdays she is still surfing and helping the people without arms and legs.

I think she is a really good person and very brave because althogh she lost her arm she made a big effort to continue surfing. I really admire her.