Lulu Gribbin’s Inspiring Comeback After Shark Attack

Lulu Gribbin, a teenager from Alabama, recently appeared with her family on ABC’s Good Morning America to recount her incredible journey following a shark attack in Walton County, Florida, that occurred last June. It’s been over a year since that life-altering day.

Now 15, Lulu shared her experience with co-anchor Michael Strahan. Reflecting on the moments of the attack, she said, “I remember seeing this big brown shadow. I turned around and started swimming as quickly as possible.” This was during a beach trip with her twin sister, Ellie, and their mother, Anne Blair.

She opened up about the terrifying day, but also emphasized how her recovery has been a remarkable story of resilience. After suffering the loss of her left hand and right leg, Lulu spent more than two months at the Limb Loss Recovery Center in Charlotte, undergoing innovative treatment.

Dr. Brian Loeffler, one of her surgeons, described the advanced methods used in her care, mentioning how nerve endings could be reassigned to help control her prosthetics and manage pain. This approach has been groundbreaking.

Lulu has also taken part in pioneering virtual reality therapy designed to ease her phantom pain. Many patients, she noted, often still feel the presence of their limbs, causing confusion and discomfort. “What we did was take a lot of the science behind the pain of phantom limbs and work to package it into a very immersive headset,” she explained.

Back home in Alabama, Lulu refused to let her injuries define her. She’s back on the golf course, adapting her game with specialized attachments for her prosthetics. “So we have golf attachments. This hand falls apart and attach golf attachments. And we also have crutches, so we have crutches,” she said, highlighting her resourcefulness.

Her determination didn’t stop there. She returned to slalom water skiing and recently began running on a specialized prosthetic. When Strahan asked about her future goals, Lulu confidently stated, “I want to participate in the Paralympics for the track.” Strahan responded, encouraging her ambitions, and she simply smiled and asked, “Why not?”

Her journey has led to a larger mission as well. Lulu is advocating for “Lulu Law,” a proposed federal alert system similar to amber alerts that would notify beachgoers instantly if a shark attack occurs nearby. “Before my attack, there was another shark attack 90 minutes before me. It’s just a few miles off the coast. So if I had known about this, I wouldn’t have been in the water,” she explained. This bill has gained traction, recently getting unanimous approval from the US Senate and is currently awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

Additionally, she is starting the Lulu Strong Foundation to enhance access to advanced treatments, such as the virtual reality programs that have helped her.

Lulu’s mother, Anne, shared their vision, stating, “We feel that virtual reality in the legs is useful for other amputees. There’s a lot of innovation and research within the technology for amputees.” She believes Lulu’s experience is unique and can help others.

Ultimately, Lulu credits her family and faith as crucial to her recovery. “I know that there is a big support system behind me, and I just show that I’m getting better not just for myself, but for them, and that anything is possible,” she said. “And just knowing that God had decided to save me, I only showed him that he had done a miracle to the righteous.”

Lulu Gribbin’s story of survival and strength continues to resonate within her community and beyond.