Bethany Hamilton Research Paper

Native Hawaiian surfer, Bethany Hamilton, lived by the belief that, “ I can do all things through he who gives me strength”. This motivation as seen in this YouTube video, was necessary after an ordinary Halloween afternoon in 2003 when thirteen-year-old Bethany was surfing. She experienced the dreaded nightmare of the ocean, a shark attack. While the surf was slow and she was lying on her board, she felt an abrupt tug on her left arm. The ocean quickly turned red before she realized her arm was gone up to the shoulder. She was rushed to the hospital and lost sixty percent of her blood. Bethany thought her dreams of becoming a professional surfer were shattered, but with a positive mindset, she didn’t lose sight of her aspirations. Three weeks after the attack, Bethany didn’t let her fear keep her off the waves, and she was back in the water determined to surf again. Before she knew it, she was winning …show more content…
After the attack, her story went viral and she was seen in every newspaper, television news, and on various talk shows. She then wrote her autobiography, Soul Surfer, which led to social change and motivated people to live with her values. Later in 2011, her story was transformed into a movie, capturing every detail from the attack, her struggles, and ultimately her success. This true story of faith, family, and fighting to chase her dreams has caught the attention of millions around the world, and they strive to live with the same positive attitude as Bethany. Not only has Bethany impacted people around the world through media, but she has also become a highly sought after public speaker. Her message encourages people to live their lives with more determination, courage, and faith. Although Bethany experienced a life changing tragedy, she overcame the challenge and took advantage of the situation to make a difference for