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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Conflict & Security

Sydney shark attack survivor calls it a 'second chance at life'

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher, survived a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, losing an arm.
  • During the attack, her primary thought was of her one-year-old daughter, fearing she would grow up without a mother.
  • A GoFundMe campaign raised over $558,925 to support Stewart's recovery, and she expressed gratitude for the 'second chance at life'.

Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother, is recovering after a harrowing shark attack at Sydney's Coogee Beach on June 13, which resulted in the amputation of her arm. Stewart, who was on a morning swim, described the terrifying encounter as coming face-to-face with a "monster."

It was holding onto my leg, then I just thought of August. I thought, ‘She’s not going to have a mum. She’s going to grow up without a mum.’

— Leah StewartStewart's thoughts during the shark attack, focusing on her daughter.

In a poignant reflection on the attack, Stewart revealed that her immediate thoughts were of her young daughter, August. "She's not going to have a mum. She's going to grow up without a mum," Stewart recalled thinking, a realization that fueled her will to survive. The shark's "horrific" face is an image she says she will "never forget."

I couldn’t handle that. I didn’t want her to not have a mum.

— Leah StewartStewart's motivation to survive the attack.

Stewart's recovery has been supported by an outpouring of global generosity. A GoFundMe page established to assist with her medical expenses and support her family surpassed $558,925. In an update shared on Sunday, Stewart expressed profound gratitude for the "army of love, support, prayers and encouragement" that surrounded her and her family.

I’ve been actively trying to do everything in my power to get back to some sort of normal life. I still have a long way to go, but my recovery has been remarkable, and a huge part of that is because of the absolute army of love, support, prayers and encouragement surrounding my family and me from all over the world.

— Leah StewartStewart's update on her recovery and gratitude for support.

Having progressed significantly in her healing journey, Stewart is focused on regaining independence and rebuilding her life. She described her recovery as "remarkable" and feels she has been "given a second chance at life." Stewart is determined not to waste this opportunity and intends to "give back even more in generosity, care and love" as she continues to heal.

What you’ve offered has given us enough to recover, to stay in our home, and to give us options for further medical treatment down the road.

— Leah StewartStewart expressing thanks for the financial support received.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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