A young mother and teacher who was attacked by a shark at Sydney’s popular Coogee Beach has shared an update amid her healing journey.
One of her arms needed to be amputated, with sand and debris posing extreme risk of infection, and Stewart was placed in an induced coma as she healed from the attack which resulted in significant blood loss and fractures throughout her body.
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A fundraiser started while Stewart was in the coma received $558,925 in donations to support her and her family.
Now, Stewart has announced that the fundraiser will no longer be accepting donations.
“At this point, I think it’s appropriate for us to turn off donations on the GoFundMe, because what you’ve offered has given us enough to recover, to stay in our home, and to give us options for further medical treatment down the road,” she said on Sunday.
“After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I’m so happy that I’ve progressed enough to build some independence.
“I can finally see some light after all of this.”
‘I’ve been given a second chance’
Stewart said that in recent weeks, she has been attempting to return to normality with her partner and one-year-old daughter.
“We’ve just been focused on my healing, and I’ve been actively trying to do everything in my power to get back to some sort of normal life,” she said.
“I still have a long way to go, but my recovery has been remarkable, and a huge part of that is because of the absolute army of love, support, prayers and encouragement surrounding my family and I from all over the world.
“That means more to me than I can say, and I truly believe it’s played a huge role in my recovery.
“Once again, I don’t feel like I can say thank you enough. I want you to know that I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I’m not going to waste it.
“As I get better, I know I’ll make something of this second chance and aim to give back even more in generosity, care, and love. I will forever be grateful for everything, and everyone, I’ve been given.
“You’ve inspired me to get better, not bitter.”
