Teen Who Lost Limbs in Shark Attack
In June 2024, a family trip to the Florida coast turned harrowing when a bull shark attacked Lulu, costing her a hand and later her right leg. Yet more than a year later, Lulu’s story is no longer just about survival — it’s about resilience, innovation, and a mission to protect others.
A Devastating Attack
Lulu, then 15, was waist-deep in the water with her twin sister Ellie when she saw a shadow move beneath her. Moments later, she was struck. Ellie rushed to her side, keeping her calm until help arrived. Lulu was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital, where doctors fought to save her life. They succeeded, but the teen lost her left hand and her right leg above the knee.
Cutting-Edge Recovery
Lulu spent months at OrthoCarolina’s Limb Loss Recovery Center in Charlotte, undergoing groundbreaking procedures like targeted muscle re-innervation to help her eventually control prosthetics. She also joined trials for virtual reality therapy aimed at easing phantom limb pain, a condition that affects most amputees.
Returning to Sports and Life
Back in Alabama, Lulu has refused to let her injuries define her. She’s adapted prosthetics to play golf, relearned water skiing, and even begun running. Her next goal: the Paralympics. “Why not?” she told Good Morning America.
Turning Trauma Into Action
Beyond her recovery, Lulu is pushing for change. She is advocating for “Lulu’s Law,” a federal alert system that would notify beachgoers in real time about shark attacks nearby. She’s also launching the Lulu Strong Foundation to expand access to advanced amputee therapies, including VR pain management.
A Story of Faith and Determination
Her strength, Lulu says, comes from her family, community, and faith. “God decided to save me, and so just showing him that he performed a miracle on the right person,” she said.
