Why is this happening to me? These are the things Hamilton thought during her days of recovering from the attack. Her first thoughts was that her dream of being a professional surfer was dead all together. Hamilton thought she would have to take up her old sport, soccer, or become a surfing photographer so she can still enjoy the sport she loved. Most people also believed her career as a surfer was over.Ever one except her brother, Timmy , who knew she could not stay out of the water. After a couple of hours, Hamilton realized she could not go without surfing. She knew surfing with one arm would not be easy but she also believed she would find a way to try. Everyone was supporting and thought with a lot of work she could surf again. Excited about getting back in the waves. She set a date for Thanksgiving for her first day back in the waves. Alana and her friends and family where all their to support her entering the waves again.Noah even got her first wave back on film. Hamilton did not even fear getting back into the water. She was to excited to surf again to think of anything else. It took Hamilton many tries to be able to stand up on the board as she surfed. When she finally stood up and rode the wave the joy she felt was indescribable. Then on she could not stay out of the water. She had to work hard, even harder than she had to before to get back to where she was before the attack. Many people and coaches contributed to help Hamilton get back on the rode to reach her goal.
The attack not only affected Hamilton, but it also affected many of the people around her. Alana, was severely affected by the attack. She had nightmares for many night and is till not the same surfing, she still won't surf tunnels. Hamilton and Alana have been friends forever, they are more like sisters, when something bad happens to one it hurts the other deeply. Also Alana's dad, Holt, constantly thinks of what he could have done differently. He also thinks of what could have happened if things didn't work the way they did. He analyzes all the outcomes that could have happened.They have all been to counseling to help them get through the attack. Hamilton doesn't realize that she only has one arm most of the time, which is a major step to heeling. Even though sometimes she sees pictures of herself with two arms and gets a pinch of sadness, but she has gotten over it and moved to bigger and better.
Hamilton has changed because of the attack. She barley ever wears shoes since its hard to tie and she is always in the water. She also has a prosthetic arm but doesn't wear it because it unnatural and restricts her from many things. She now also has an agent, Roy, that tries to get her story out. She wants to do the interviews but always tries to get out of them because they interfere with her love of surfing. Rip Curl, her sponsor, was really supportive after the attack and just wanted her to be herself. If Hamilton never wins another contest or decides to stop competing she will always be known and remembered throughout the sport by "that surfer girl who got her arm bitten off by a shark." This, however, she is very grateful for because she will forever be tied to surfing.
Roy informed Hamilton that something big would be coming. A movie is something she never expected. She looks forward to the surfing scenes, and she has faith it will be a true movie and convey her faith the right way. She has meet celebrities, walked the red carpet at the ESPY and the Teen Choice Awards, she also was in a Volvo commercial. She is also receiving an award for the Women's Sports Federation, but she hopes to win more contest to prove she deserves this award. Her biggest excitement is working with the World Vision Foundation, which is a Christian foundation that helps poor children. She can use her voice to help children living in poverty with disabilities get care and support they need. This foundation lets her use her surfing to raise awareness and funds to help these kids.
The book keeps improving as I read. I enjoy it more and more each time. It has a great story line and also teaches you many lessons. This books teaches you lessons to be a better person and Christian. It also makes you realize how lucky you are for everything you have. I can relate to this section of the book because i to have gotten hurt and had to come back to playing. When i played softball and broke my arm I had to take time off to heal. When I came back, I was nervous that i wouldn't be where i was last time I played or I wouldn't be able to. I had to work hard to get back to where I was like her but I was able to get back to that spot. This is not as extreme as Hamilton's injury, but i can relate to the feeling of coming back to strive toward your dream.
This is a video of Hamilton's first contest back into the water after the attack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnWnuBwNJGo
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