Australian shark attack survivor gains strength from messages in recovery
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Leah Stewart, an Australian mother and teacher who lost her arm after a shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach, spent sleepless nights reading messages from supporters around the world as she continued her lengthy recovery, her family said.
“Leah and I were sharing some of the beautiful messages we received and she loved them too, inspired by the care and love you all shared,” her brother Joshua Stewart wrote in a GoFundMe update on Sunday.
“Leah has been through some tough days but has found true strength from your kindness and support,” he added.
Leah Stewart had trouble sleeping during her recovery and relied on the support of family, friends and strangers.
AUTHORITIES have identified the woman who died in an alligator attack while she was swimming with friends in central Florida.
“Since the incident, Leah has had trouble sleeping and on those nights she has been reading your messages, not only from her family and community in Australia and her whānau in New Zealand, but also from people all over the world,” he wrote, using the Māori word for family. “They gave him real comfort and strength.”
Stewart, a mother of a 1-year-old daughter and a passionate teacher, was attacked while swimming near the shore and among the flags at Coogee Beach in the morning on June 13, according to her family. He suffered life-threatening injuries to his arms and legs, including multiple bites, cuts, fractures, and extreme blood loss.
He was placed on life support, placed in a medically induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries in the days after the attack. His treatment required the amputation of an arm, and the family said more surgeries were planned as doctors worked to save his life and stabilize his condition.
After doctors reduced the sedation, Stewart woke up from a 10-day coma and said “I love you” to his mother and partner Fernando. His first thoughts at the time were with his younger daughter, August, his brother said.
A SHARK ATTACK SURVIVOR WOKE UP FROM A 10-DAY COMA AND SHARED HIS FIRST WORDS WITH HIS FAMILY AT HIS HOSPITAL.
“Leah has a long road ahead of her,” Joshua Stewart wrote after briefly waking up, calling the moment a hopeful first step in her recovery.
Joshua Stewart explained that the family wanted to apologize for the delays in responding to supporters and that they were experiencing issues with the GoFundMe messaging system.
“Leah is overwhelmed by the incredible support she has received and how her story resonates with so many people,” he wrote. “Thank you!”
The fundraiser was launched to help Stewart, his partner and their young daughter through what his family described as a heartbreaking situation. The money will support her recovery, prosthetics, rehabilitation, ongoing care, and any significant adjustments she will need as she tries to return to life as a mother.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
His family also thanked the lifeguards, first responders, helicopter crew and St. Louis who helped care for Stewart after the attack. He thanked the medical team at St. Vincent Hospital.
“As a family, we are shocked and devastated that this has happened to our beloved partner, daughter and mother who is full of life and energy,” Joshua Stewart said.
