“Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton will wrap up this year’s University Speaker Series for “An Evening with Bethany Hamilton” at Southeast Missouri State University.
Hamilton is widely known for losing her arm at 13, when a shark attacked her while surfing in Hawaii. Less than a month later, Hamilton was back in the water pursuing her dream of becoming a professional surfer. Since her accident, Hamilton became a professional surfer, a mom and motivational speaker.
In 2007, Hamilton’s friends and family created the non-profit “Friends of Bethany” organization, which supports victims of shark attacks and people without limbs. The organization also provides scholarships to students in Hamilton’s native Kauai.
Hamilton’s visit to Cape Girardeau will highlight her story while inspiring others to overcome their obstacles through passion and faith.
“I like to touch on how we can overcome through our passions,” Hamilton said. “My greatest passions in life have been, one, my faith in God and how God has good has been to me in my life. And two my passion for surfing and kind [of] talking about overcoming the difficult times in life.”
“An Evening with Bethany Hamilton” will be held on April 4 at the Southeast Missouri State University Show Me Center. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.