Bethany Hamilton - Lending Stream Person Of The Week May 25 - May 30

“Once bitten twice shy” is not a universal truth, since it is only adversity that spawns courage and persistence. When certain people set their eyes on to something and wouldn’t relent while pursuing their dreams, nothing can stop them - not even traumatizing, life-changing experiences. October 31, 2003: Bethany Hamilton, 13 and a surfer girl, was doing what she does best  - ride the waves and experience the rush. Only, the joyful outing was destined to turn into her worst nightmare. A 14-foot Tiger Shark emerged from beneath the waves and attacked her, in the process leaving her with a severed left arm. After nearly dying from blood loss that fateful day, Bethany has bounced back and is now raring to feel the wind across her face and the waves beneath her feet. The thought of coming face to face with a Shark again doesn’t intimidate her any more.

Bethany is our ‘Person of the Week’ since she has overcome seemingly insurmountable physical and psychological odds, put her worst fears to rest and ignored her disability to display grit and ‘fierce competitive spirit’. She is today ranked among the top 10 professional women surfers in the world. Surfing with one hand and achieving this honor…one has to be special and supremely gifted. Bethany is!