The Alabama teenager who tragically lost her left hand and right leg in a shark attack in June is celebrating the start of the school year after her months-long recovery.
Lulu Gribbin, 15, was one of the victims of a horrific bull shark attack in Florida that changed her life forever.
After spending 77 days recovering in the hospital, Lulu was finally able to return home to her family. On Friday, Lulu joined her classmates to start another school year.
Lulu’s mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, has been sharing her daughter’s journey on CaringBridge, where she excitedly announced a major milestone in her daughter’s journey.
She wrote: “Today is a big step in this journey. Today Lulu went to school for the first time.
Lulu and Ellie Gribbin, both 15, posed for Lulu’s first day of school after recovering from a shark attack that left her without her left hand and right leg.
Lulu posed with her sister and friend outside her high school.
“Our school system in Mountain Brook has been amazing and very helpful in making sure Lulu is keeping up with school. We’ve had an amazing homeschool teacher who has come in a couple times a week to check in with Lulu and see if she had any questions or concerns.”
Lulu and her mother have planned for her most difficult classes to be in the morning and she will take some online classes until her stamina builds up.
In the touching life update, Ann also praised Lulu’s twin sister Ellie for her unwavering support during difficult times.
Ann said that when she went to wake Lulu up for the big day, she was already getting ready with Ellie, who was helping her get dressed and do her hair.
Lulu wrote in her notebook, returning to her usual routine after returning to school on Friday.
Lulu was greeted by friends and family in a purple parade when she returned home after her 77-day hospital stay.
This long-awaited moment of relief comes after months of pain and suffering.
Seven weeks after the shark attack, Ann reflected on the moment at CaringBridge, calling it something she “could never have imagined in her wildest dreams.”
But throughout the difficult recovery process, Lulu remained strong and determined.
Her mother wrote in July: “Lulu’s physical strength and courage will get her through rehabilitation and she will be able to walk and use her hand again. Her hand and leg will not define her.”
Lulu waved to parade-goers on the back of a gold float as she returned home.
Lulu smiled as she underwent physical therapy at the hospital.
“What defines Lulu is her attitude, her compassion, her determination and her grace. I couldn’t be more proud of who she is!”
Lulu returned home after stays at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 25.
She was greeted by a parade of loved ones as she showed off her prosthetics.
Lulu’s recovery was difficult, but her mother documented how she maintained a positive attitude throughout the process.
Everyone in attendance was dressed in her favorite color, purple, and she rode on the back of a golf cart as she cheerfully greeted everyone who arrived.
In her most recent post about Lulu returning to school, Ann also provided an update on 17-year-old McCray Faust, who was also attacked by the shark in June. He suffered serious injuries to his foot.
McCray was able to walk again in eight weeks, and although she hasn’t fully regained feeling in her foot, she “goes about her day with a sweet smile on her face.”