Alabama teen returns to school after losing leg, hand in shark attack
MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala (WDHN) - Fifteen weeks after being attacked by a bull shark while on vacation, a 15-year-old survivor has returned to school.
Lulu Gribbin was one of three women attacked by a bull shark near Rosemary Beach, Florida, in early July. While a friend of Lulu’s, 17-year-old McCray Faust, walked away with relatively minor injuries, Lulu’s attack resulted in the loss of her left hand and right leg.
Since the attack, Lulu’s mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, has given constant journal entry updates on her daughter’s condition. On Friday, Gribbon announced her daughter had returned to school in person at Mountain Brook.
"Today is a huge step in this journey. Today Lulu went to school for the first time," Griibbon wrote. "Our school system in Mountain Brook has been so amazing and so accommodating navigating how we make sure Lulu stays up to date with school. We have had an awesome homebound teacher who has come in a couple of times of week to talk with Lulu and see if she has questions or concerns. We have a plan set up that she has her hardest classes in the morning and will be doing a couple of classes online until we figure out her stamina and how in-person school will happen."
In the journal entry, Gribbon described a heartwarming scene when Ellie, Lulu's identical twin, was helping her sister prepare for her first day back.
“Today was the day I witnessed the most amazing moment in my life. I woke up and went to check on Lulu to make sure she was up. I walked into the bathroom, and Ellie was doing Lulu’s hair. Ellie had woken her up. Ellie was helping her get dressed for her big day.”
She continued, "I am so proud of not only Lulu but her amazing sister Ellie! I hope she knows how truly amazing she is."
The mother of four also talked about what it was like adjusting to life back in Alabama.
"Since we have been back in Birmingham, our new normal or our new routine or lack of routine has been crazy, to say the least."
Lulu continues to attend physical and occupational therapy three times a week.
"I am so thankful that Lulu's only injuries were physical ones. She did not have any sort of brain injury, and that smart girl is still here."
Lulu came home in late August after 77 days of recovering in hospitals. On her return, state officials praised her, and a parade was held in her honor.