Road to Recovery: A Community Rallies Around Lulu Gribbin After Shark Attack
Mountain Brook, Alabama – In a heartwarming display of community, residents, shops, and businesses of the Mountain Brook community, have rallied behind teenager Lulu Gribbin, critically injured in a shark attack at a Florida beach.
Community Responds With Love and Support
Though he doesn’t personally know the Gribbin family, Brad Simpson, owner of Smith’s Variety, has committed his business to honor Lulu with purple bows. “Neighbors want to be there for one another,” commented Simpson. Purple bows now adorn mailboxes and storefronts across the city, symbolizing their enduring support for Lulu and the Gribbin family.
Lulu Gribbin and her friends fell victim to a severe shark attack on June 7. Two others were also injured within the same timeframe, just miles apart on the Florida panhandle area. Lulu’s resilience resulted in her survival through the loss of a hand, and a leg, along with two-thirds of her body’s blood volume. The swift action of those present, including several medics who offered immediate assistance, is credited for saving her life.
Community Fundraising and Financial Aid
Friends of the Gribbin family have established a fund to directly aid them with the expenses associated with her recovery. Local businesses including Andy’s Creekside Nursery, Norton’s Florist, Bandwagon, Shea Davis Boutique, and Holland and Birch are contributing through sales of bows, T-shirts, and bracelets. The community has come together not only financially but through prayers for Lulu’s recovery. Over 1,050 bows have been ordered from Smith’s Variety alone.
National and International Support
The shark attack and Lulu’s sheer resilience in her recovery have gained international attention with encouragements and prayers coming from as far as Canada, China, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Brazil, and Colombia.
Emotional Support and Mental Health
John Kemp, president and CEO of the Lakeshore Foundation, advocates for community support extending beyond the physical healing process. Stressing the importance of mental health services, he advised that seeking professional help for Lulu’s emotional well-being, as well as her family’s, is also crucial in the healing journey.
Lulu Responds with Gratefulness
While Lulu’s road to recovery looks tough and long, she remains grateful for the love and support surrounding her. Using an exercise suggested by a child-life specialist, Lulu assigned different colors to her feelings. Black stands for hard struggles, red for surprise, purple for anxiety about the road ahead, and pink for her overwhelming gratitude for the love and support she has received.
Nationwide Encouragement from Sports Community
An accomplished athlete herself, Lulu has been showered with support and uplifting messages from coaches and athletes from all over the country.
“The texts, calls, Facebook/Instagram posts, messages, videos are so uplifting and a constant reminder that she is loved,” her mother, Blair said, encapsulating the enormity of the love that has come their way.
