Shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin is using golf to be herself again. The 16-year-old is also making a difference off the course by helping lawmakers create an alert system to make the waters safer.

Shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin has turned to golf as a means of recovery and self-expression following a life-changing incident while on vacation in Florida. The 16-year-old lost one leg and one arm in the attack, but describes herself as still being the same person and credits golf with helping her stay competitive and focused. Gribbin said the sport allows her to feel normal and take her mind off her injuries, emphasizing that her identity extends beyond being a shark attack survivor.

Those around her, including adaptive sports professionals and PGA instructors, note that golf acts as a form of medicine for Gribbin and many others, requiring adaptations that are tailored to individual needs. Her instructor described her as an athlete committed to improvement and as a source of inspiration.

Beyond her recovery, Gribbin is now working to improve safety for others by collaborating with Alabama lawmakers. She is involved in efforts to establish a cell phone alert system that would notify beachgoers of nearby shark activity. Gribbin highlighted the importance of such a system, referencing a previous attack that occurred before her own and expressing a belief that awareness could have changed her circumstances.

Gribbin continues to advocate for perseverance and resilience, stating that obstacles can be overcome with determination. She encourages others not to give up, regardless of the challenges they face.



How golf is helping shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin

I remember being in the water with my friends. We were diving in the water for sand dollars and we were just having fun and then things took a turn and my life changed forever. What? They need to get out. While on vacation with her family in Florida last summer, Lulu Gribben was attacked by a shark, changing her life forever. One leg and one arm doesn't define who I am, so I'm still the same person. The very first time I woke up, I knew what everything that had happened and the first words I said were, I made it. It was near death because I lost two-thirds of my blood. I think it's very important to just be grateful that I'm alive here today. It was just heartbreaking when we found out the news, but instantly I started thinking, you know, if she recovers or she gets through this, then she can play golf because I've seen what golf has done. Golf is like a medicine for me and for many others. Like that. I have a lot of experience in adaptive sports. I've raced with a lot of Paralympic skiers and played in the adaptive golf circuit and everyone's disability is different and requires a little different adaptation. We're going to fine-tune and find the way to give her the best advantages and have her perform the best despite her disability and limitations. I really like golf because it lets me to just be myself and stay competitive. What a shot. It's probably been the most fun I've had as a PGA professional. She's an athlete that wants to get better, that tries as hard as she can, and just is an inspiration to me while I'm teaching her. When I'm on the golf course, I'm just a normal golfer just hitting a golf ball. It might look a little different, but it really helps me to just take my mind off how different I am and just allow me to just have fun and focus on the sport. She showed me that Lulu is way more than just Lulu, the girl who survived a shark attack. She's Lulu the golfer. She's someone impressive and an athlete. Now 16 years old, Lulu is trying to help make the water safer for others. She's working with Alabama lawmakers to create an alert system on cell phones that will notify beachgoers if there are any sharks nearby. Before my attack, there was another shark attack. And if I would have known, I would not have been in the water and my life would have been completely different. And I think it's very important that we put this in to keep the beaches safe. I can overcome anything that I put my mind to. No obstacle will be able to stop you if you don't let it. And just like how important it is to never give up and to always persevere, even when life throws curveballs at you.

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