2020,  homeschooling,  movies

Unstoppable Soul Surfer

One of the things I like about homeschooling through Faith CSDE is that the high school english program among other aspects to the curriculum, is really well done. Each term we are asked to read a particular book, answer questions, and learn new modes of writing, and each term has a different focus with regard to the learning mode of the curriculum.

The programs are written in such a way that students are taken on a journey alongside the main character in the book. They use appropriate youtube videos, and numerous mediums of learning to bring depth to the subject at hand.

This term we are reading ‘Soul Surfer’ (Third time for me – Nel’s turn). The Bethany Hamilton Story. Bethany Hamilton had her left arm taken by a fifteen foot tiger shark when she was just 13 years old. A month after the attack she was back in the water relearning how to surf. Bethany Hamilton can be described as tenacious, her faith is the backbone to who she is as a person, wife and mother, AND she is incredibly motivated to work hard, enjoy life, and do well in all areas of her life. Unstoppable!

The shark attack is now something that happened to Bethany 17 years ago. Remarkably, she didn’t let a 15 foot tiger shark determine her identity, or her opportunities in life. Writers in surf magazines have described her as both a power house, as well as ’the most courageous girl in America‘. Bethany says that she never thought that she would ever be considered a celebrity, but there aren’t too many one armed surfer girls around, so she is often recognised when she is out and about with her family, or on the beach with her coach”.

Bethany believes that her faith in God has helped open up opportunities in her life. Last year, Bethany and her family and friends made a documentary about Bethany’s life from a number of angles. This documentary is definitely worth watching. It is one of the most inspirational stories I have seen in some time. We all need to be reminded from time to time that we are allowed to be passionate about our lives, we are allowed to dream big, we all get to be unstoppable if we want to be. We don’t need others permission to live our best life. We are happiest when we are living our best life.

We put ‘Unstoppable’, Bethany Hamilton’s documentary on and watched it as a family, and of course everyone enjoyed and marvelled at Bethany Hamiltons surfing ability and her passion for the surf. She has surfed some amazing waves including Jaws which is in Peʻahi. Pe’ahi is a place on the north shore of the island of Maui in Hawaii. To surf this wave you have to have a lot of guts and fitness. This wave has taken out a number of good surfers over the years.

Our youngest, 9 years old, remarked, ‘Imagine what she could do if she had both her arms?’

It’s good to show our kids inspiring stories of people who have done or do extraordinary things. Sometimes we forget that the extraordinary can happen, inspiring people are our reminder that living our dreams is possible. My favourite Bethany Hamilton quote is ‘I don’t need easy, I need possible’.

As a busy mum of four, I need to be reminded to not just dream, but to go after my dreams. It’s easy to forget to dream, but Bethany Hamilton, a one armed woman who is also now a mum to two boys, changes nappies with her one arm and feet, surfs the wildest waves all over the world, and loves life. I like Bethany’s outlook on life.

Chat soon,
xo







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