Lulu Gribbin, the Mountain Brook teenager attacked by a shark less than two weeks ago, has completed surgery, her family writes.
“[Sunday] was a surgery day and Lulu did great!” Gribbin’s aunt posted on CaringBridge, a platform used to chronicle health journeys. “We got the best news from her doctor stating that he was able to remove the wound vac on her leg and the site was ready to be closed, and he does not anticipate any surgeries in the near future. Let the healing begin!”
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“Lulu is fierce, determined, competitive, and a goal setter,” her aunt added. “She was born this way, and she is a fighter! We believe in her and already are amazed at how far she has come in just over a week!”
Gribbin was bitten by a shark while swimming off the coast of Florida’s Watersound Beach on June 7. Despite facing amputations of her left hand and part of her right leg, Gribbin’s mother posted that Lulu is “strong and back to herself.”
“Lulu is here, Lulu is brave, and Lulu is strong,” wrote her father.
Several local businesses are offering avenues through which to donate to Lulu’s care. Bandwagon Sports, an apparel store in Homewood, is selling a collection of shirts and hoodies with $20 from each purchase going directly to the Gribbin family. According to the store’s social media posts, they’ve already received orders from each of the 48 continental United States.
Smith’s Variety, a store located in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village, is selling purple bows in support of the Caring for Lulu fund established by Gribbin’s family friends.
Further updates on Gribbin’s journey can be found on her family’s Instagram page, lulug.strong, and at the Instagram hashtag #lulugstrong.
Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.
