Bethany Hamilton is known to the world as the Hawaiian pro-surfer who in 2003 survived a tiger shark attack at the age of 13.
Bethany’s left arm was violently amputated at her shoulder during the attack, and she lost more than 60% of her blood.
Bethany writes on her Soul Surfer website about the attack, “I felt a lot of pressure and a couple of lightning fast tugs. Then I watched in shock as the water around me turned bright red. Somehow, I stayed calm. My left arm was gone almost to the armpit, along with a huge crescent-shaped chunk of my red, white and blue surfboard…”
Several surgeries and 12 years later and Bethany has in no way let losing her arm get in the way of leading a big life.
She has continued to surf, gaining a second place in the 2009 ASP World Junior Championships.
Bethany, 25, is now a motivational speaker and has established her own foundation Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors and traumatic amputees.
However Bethany’s greatest achievement is still to arrive, abeit very soon.
Bethany and her husband Adam Dirk – who married in 2013 – announced via Instagram in February that they are expecting their first child – a baby boy – due in early June 2015.
Bethany has been proudly sharing her pregnancy with her followers on Instagram giving snipets of her life with a bun in the oven.
“Loving the feeling of our lil guy moving inside of me. Being a mom is a new exciting adventure that I know will be wonderful & challenging,” she said in February.
And with her due date looming and motherhood upon her, Bethany posted to Instagram on Thursday that she’s ready to be a mum.
“We’re starting to feel ready for this lil boy to enter the world! Ready or not parenthood here we come,” she said.
We wish this gorgeous mama-to-be all the best in the next stage of her journey.
Having already survived a shark attack, child birth is going to be a walk in the park! Well, we certainly hope so.
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