Australian shark attack victim grateful for 'second chance at life'

For context, an Australian woman bitten by a shark at a popular Sydney beach earlier this year notes she has been given a "second chance at life" and will be making the most of it.

Key points

• The mother-of-one was placed in an induced coma and had a number of surgeries, including having one of her arms amputated.
• Stewart remarked she had been "overwhelmed" by the backing from family, friends and "even strangers", adding that the "you've inspired me to get better, not bitter".
• "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."

Leah Stewart, 35, was mauled by a shark during a morning swim at Coogee Beach in June, suffering multiple bites to her arms and legs, against the backdrop of a spate of attacks in Australia.

For context, the mother-of-one was placed in an induced coma and had a number of surgeries, including having one of her arms amputated.

In an online post on Monday, she thanked her supporters who have raised more than AU$550, 000 (US$394, 000; £289, 000) for her, saying her recovery has been "incredibly difficult" but she is making "remarkable" progress.

"After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I'm so happy that I've progressed enough to build some independence, and I can finally see some light after all of this, " Stewart wrote, in her first comments since the attack.

For context, an online fundraiser for her would now be closed, she wrote, with the funds raised giving her the chance to recover at home as well as "options for further medical treatment down the road".

"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."

There have been a spate of shark attacks in Australia this year, with four attacks over a two-day period in January, including one on a 12-year-old boy who afterwards died from his injuries.

In May, a man was killed by a shark in Queensland while spearfishing and in Western Australia, a father-of-two died after he was attacked by a 4m (13ft) shark.

Taken together, the developments around australian shark attack victim grateful for ' second chance at life&#039 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.