A 13-year-old girl paddles her surfboard off the North Shore of Kauai in Hawaii and dangles her left arm in the clear water, awaiting the perfect wave. A 15-foot tiger shark glides up and bites her arm right off. She’s bleeding from the shoulder, a quarter mile from shore, an hour from a hospital.
History, you’d think.
Bethany Hamilton is indeed history, one believe-it-or-not chapter in the new history of women’s sports being etched today by a generation of young women who view sports as a birthright. After all, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law nearly 37 years ago — practically the Middle Ages to women born in the ’90s. You mean there was a time when 10-year-old girls didn’t suit up for five-day-a-week travel soccer? Or dream of winning a scholarship to wear orange for Ms. Summitt at Tennessee? Survive a shark attack to become one of the best female surfers in the world?
“For me, losing my arm was definitely worth it,” Hamilton, now 19, said in a recent interview with ESPN. “I can still surf. I get to inspire people who don’t have hope in life. … I’m just really glad that I can do something bigger than just live my life for myself.”
This March, ESPN will celebrate Women’s History Month by bringing you “Her Story,” a contemporary collection of stories of empowerment and inspiration, struggle and triumph…(click to read entire article)
Bethany Hamilton inspires with her courage and passion for her sport
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August 11, 2009 at 4:31 pm |
[...] Play Strong® Athlete – Bethany Hamilton By playstrong Bethany Hamilton’s story is an inspiring one and there are few people in the world of sports today that possess her courage and passion for what she does. She is an amazing example of perseverance and a heart of a champion. These are the qualities that make Bethany a Play Strong® Athlete. (Click here to read about her story.) [...]