Australian shark-attack survivor Leah Stewart reads global support messages during recovery after arm amputation

Leah Stewart, an Australian mother and teacher who lost an arm after a shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach in mid-June, has been reading “beautiful messages” from supporters during sleepless nights as she continues recovery after multiple surgeries, her family said. In a GoFundMe update shared on Sunday and cited by Fox News, her brother Joshua Stewart described the strain of the early recovery period and said the messages have helped her cope.

Stewart was attacked on June 13 while swimming on a morning swim close to shore and within the flags at Coogee Beach, her family said. Fox News reported that she suffered life-threatening injuries, including multiple bites across her arms and legs, lacerations, fractures, and extreme blood loss, and that she was placed on life support and put under a medically induced coma before undergoing several operations in the days that followed.

According to the update, Stewart’s recovery has continued to include difficulty sleeping. Her brother wrote that “since the incident Leah has had difficulty sleeping,” and that on nights when rest is hard to come by, she reads back through the messages people have sent. He said those notes come not only from her family, friends, and community in Australia, but also from her whānau in New Zealand and from supporters worldwide.

Stewart’s family said the messages are being shared with her as a form of encouragement. Joshua Stewart wrote that the family had been sharing some of the “beautiful messages we’ve received with Leah,” and that she has “loved them,” drawing “inspiration from the care and love you’ve all shared.” He added that Stewart had “some challenging days” but “has found real strength from your kindness and support,” framing the messages as part of her day-to-day endurance.

The Fox News report portrays Stewart’s recovery as ongoing and medically intensive, with the focus on emotional support alongside clinical treatment. Her brother’s account also ties the messages to a sense of connection, particularly as Stewart faces nights when sleep is disrupted and the recovery process demands patience.

The GoFundMe update and subsequent reporting come as shark-attack survivors in Australia have also publicly described the lasting psychological effects of major injuries and the value of peer connection. An earlier Australian Broadcasting Corporation report on a separate bull shark attack case described a survivor who felt isolated during recovery after reading harsh media comments and later created a support group for other people who have survived similar attacks.

While Stewart’s family is not describing policy changes in the reported account, the case underscores the broader public-safety reality that water-adjacent hazards can produce life-altering injuries, and that families often seek community support while victims navigate medical treatment and rehabilitation. Authorities continue to handle beach-safety measures, including decisions about warnings and patrol activity, but the family’s immediate emphasis has been on Stewart’s care and recovery at the personal level.

The next steps in Stewart’s situation, as described in the reporting, are centered on continued recovery from the injuries and amputation. The family is also continuing to receive messages intended to support her during recovery, with the GoFundMe update serving as the channel for sharing how she is coping and what she draws strength from.