Sydney mum Leah Stewart was swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach when she was attacked by a shark on the morning of June 13.
Thanks to a rapid response from local lifeguards and other beachgoers, she was pulled out from the water and rushed to hospital, where she spent several weeks in a coma, undergoing surgeries, and having a part of her arm amputated.
Now the 34-year-old mum has reunited with the lifeguards who saved her and provided crucial first aid in the moments after the attack.
“Got to meet these absolute legends today,” she said in a social media post on Wednesday, alongside an image of her and the two lifeguards.
“Last time we met they were performing CPR and breathing for me, this time we had a big hug and got to hang out at Maroubra Surf Life Saving club.
“Thanks for being literal life savers.”
In a separate post, she said, “I owe my life to them and beyond gratitude, I want to pay forward the absolute army of support I’ve been blessed with.”
“I still have a long journey of recovery, but there isn’t a single day I take for granted. It’s hard, but knowing that I’ve had such a collective support pushes me to be better, not bitter.”
The reunion came just days after she recounted the attack in an interview with 60 Minutes, where she explained she made the decision to choose which arm to sacrifice as she punched the shark to get away.
Her decision had received criticism online, including from breakfast radio host Brendan Fevola,who casted his doubt on her survival story.
“I was on the couch with my wife going, ‘She’s lying. Too much time to think! You’re not thinking all that are you?’” Fevola told listeners.
“Come on, ‘right or left?’
“You punched a shark in the face and survived, but you’re not thinking all that … That’s a lot of mayo.”
However many defended her decision with one saying: “Can’t believe the lack of empathy and cold-hearted comments on here!! What an amazing, courageous woman to fight for her life and endure such a horrific attack.”
Leah took to Instagram to respond to the criticism saying: “You may have noticed how calm I seemed describing the attack.
“Truthfully, I still feel disconnected from it, almost like it happened in a dream. I think that’s my mind protecting me as I begin to process it.”
Leah admitted she’s “a bit scared to move past this current state of mind” but is hopeful as she continues to recover.
Images: Instagram
