Baldwin County, AL. — (GSN) —  15-year-old Lulu Gribbin from Mountain Brook, Alabama, survived a life-threatening shark attack while looking for sand dollars in waist-deep water off Florida's Gulf Coast. Though the ordeal resulted in the loss of her left hand and right leg above the knee, her determination was clear from the very beginning. Upon waking from her initial surgery, her first words were "I MADE IT"—a phrase that set the tone for an extraordinary journey of recovery and triumph.

Refusing to let her injuries slow her down, Gribbin threw herself into athletics, making golf her primary sport. Working with PGA Professional and adaptive golfer Chris Biggins at the Country Club of Birmingham, she developed modified swing techniques and helped design a custom 3D-printed PVC golf prosthesis attachment.

Her progress led to memorable opportunities on golf's biggest stages, such as walking the 13th hole with PGA Tour star Justin Thomas—where she sank a birdie putt—and playing the 16th hole with Rickie Fowler during a Waste Management Phoenix Open practice round. In addition to golf, she continues to stay active through water skiing, running, and high school activities.

Establishing "Lulu's Law" as an Alabama Standard

Gribbin turned her personal experience into a crusade for coastal safety after learning that another shark attack had occurred just 90 minutes earlier and a few miles away on the day she was bitten. In response, the Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 437, known as "Lulu's Law," which Governor Kay Ivey signed into law to establish a pioneering state standard for coastal protection. Managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in coordination with local emergency management agencies in Baldwin and Mobile counties, the system functions like an Amber Alert. When an unprovoked shark attack is confirmed near the shoreline, automated Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) send real-time push notifications directly to cell phones and emergency personnel across coastal zones. By closing dangerous information gaps and delivering immediate warnings, the law empowers beachgoers and families to promptly clear the water and stay out of harm's way.

To help others facing similar challenges, Gribbin established the Lulu Strong Foundation. The nonprofit organization works to assist amputees in obtaining lighter-weight prosthetics faster and provides grants to restore independence and mobility.

Through athletic achievements, groundbreaking policy reform, and philanthropic leadership, Lulu Gribbin continues to serve as an enduring model of resilience, purpose, and strength.