Leah Stewart, a teacher who survived a brutal great white shark attack in June, has broken her silence, recounting the terrifying moments and her fight for survival. The attack occurred while Stewart was swimming between the flags at Sydney's Coogee Beach.
Stewart, 34, spent two weeks in a coma and underwent multiple surgeries, including the amputation of one of her arms. In an emotional interview set to air next Sunday, she described the shark's appearance as "horrific" and a "monster." The primary thought driving her will to survive was her one-year-old daughter, August.
"All I was thinking of was August and I thought, she's not going to have a mum," Stewart told interviewer Tracy Grimshaw. "I just thought, I've got to fight it and do everything I can to be here."
The interview will also feature the triple-0 call made by a beachgoer who witnessed the attack, reporting, "Hi, we've got a shark attack at Coogee beach. There's a lot of blood."
Stewart has also shared a message of gratitude regarding a fundraiser that has raised over $558,000. She expressed being "constantly overwhelmed" by the support from known individuals and strangers alike, acknowledging its significant impact on her family's life.
"I want to say the biggest thank you for looking after me, for caring for my family, and for being generous enough to help my family through this," Stewart stated. "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."
The funds raised are intended to help Stewart and her family remain in their home and cover potential future medical treatments. Stewart has been working to regain independence and sees her remarkable recovery as partly due to the "army of love, support, prayers and encouragement" surrounding her family.
Stewart has vowed to make the most of her second chance at life, stating, "As I get better, I know I’ll make something of this second chance and aim to give back even more in generosity, care, and love." She concluded by saying, "You've inspired me to get better, not bitter."