GETTING BACK ON THE BOARD

Bethany Hamilton inspires me in a modern way because her love of surfing in Hawaii made her get back on the board. In 2003 Bethany Hamilton went surfing with her best friend Alanna. After wading around on her board a hungry shark came up for some breakfast. He bit off the tip of Bethany's board and also her left arm. After losing more than 60% of her blood she ended up in the hospital with one arm. Then after a couple of weeks of surgery she came home and learned how to surf again. It wasn't a very good success because she could not duck dive (that means to go under the wave when you can't get on it). She quit after a couple of days. Then her father invented a handle she could push down on to duck dive. It worked immediately and she went to the Hawaii Surf Regionals. She got 3rd place but had a really perfect wave at the horn. If they counted that wave she would have won. Her Dad was devastated but she said to her father, "I won! Totally won!". She said that with a grin on her face. Her dad started to smile too but relieved his daughter did something she accomplished when she was 8 years old but with one less arm.

Bethany has grown up to be a pro surfer (Alanna too) and she will always bring me to great heights. I think her unbelievable belief in God told her to have faith in what she thinks isn't possible but is. I think she is as modern as it gets because she can do anything she wishes to! That's how I looked at it when I first saw her and saw how plausible it is to follow your dreams!