An Australian woman who survived a shark attack earlier this year at a Sydney beach has expressed gratitude for her recovery, calling it a "second chance at life." Leah Stewart, 35, was bitten multiple times on her arms and legs during a swim at Coogee Beach in June. The attack necessitated several surgeries, including the amputation of one of her arms.
In a recent online post, Stewart shared that her recovery has been challenging but that she is making significant progress. "After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I'm so happy that I've progressed enough to build some independence, and I can finally see some light after all of this," she wrote. "I want you to know that I feel like I've been given a second chance at life, and I'm not going to waste it."
Stewart stated she was "overwhelmed" by the support from family, friends, and strangers, noting that their encouragement has inspired her to focus on getting better rather than becoming bitter. She announced the closure of an online fundraiser, which garnered more than AU$550,000 (approximately US$394,000), providing her with resources for home recovery and future medical treatments. "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 I from all over the world."
Stewart's attack occurred amid a period of increased shark activity in Australia. In January, four shark attacks were reported over a two-day span, including one that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy. Later, in May, a man was killed by a shark while spearfishing in Queensland, and another fatality occurred in Western Australia following an encounter with a 4-meter (13-foot) shark.