Leah Stewart speaks about recovery after shark attack in Sydney
Leah Stewart, 35, who was attacked by a great white shark at Coogee Beach in eastern Sydney in June, has spoken publicly about her recovery for the first time. She said she has not yet fully recovered but views what she experienced as a «second chance at life».
As ABC News Australia reports, Stewart was swimming in the morning between the flags near the shore on June 13 when she was attacked by a shark. She was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition. She suffered bites to her arms and leg, multiple fractures, and major blood loss.
Operations and recovery
After the attack, Stewart spent several days in a medically induced coma and underwent a series of operations, including the amputation of one arm. About 11 days after the incident, she was briefly brought out of the coma and spoke with her husband and mother for the first time. According to her brother, her first words were: «I love you». He also said that she wanted to know whether her daughter, August, was all right.
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In a post on a fundraising platform, Stewart wrote that the past few months had been «extremely difficult». At the same time, she said she had been able to gain some independence and had begun to see hope after what she went through. According to Stewart, she is doing everything possible to return to her usual life, and her recovery has been «remarkable».
Fundraising is being stopped
More than $500,000 was raised to help Stewart. She thanked the local community and people around the world for their support and said that donations should stop. According to Stewart, the funds raised are sufficient for her recovery, for her to remain in her home, and for further medical treatment if needed.
Stewart also said that people’s support inspired her «to become better, not bitter».
