Ali Truwit's comeback story: From losing lower leg in shark attack to Paralympics debut

Last year, a summer of celebration was on swimmer Ali Truwit’s agenda following her graduation from Yale.

A busy itinerary included snorkelling with good friend Sophie Pilkinton, who was celebrating her graduation from medical school.

The pair hit up the beaches in Turks and Caicos, a spot they had known to be safe when spending time in the water.

But as they made their way back to the boat, Truwit and Pilkinton were met with the unthinkable: a shark, aggressively approaching them.

Despite their efforts to fight back, the shark had bitten Truwit's lower leg.

The entire moment felt surreal, but they had to act quickly, relying on years of training in the pool to swim to safety.

When the two were able to get back on their boat, Pilkinton’s medical training sprung into action, applying a tourniquet to slow the bleeding in what Truwit labelled a ‘life-saving’ move.

After receiving initial treatment in a local hospital, she was airlifted back to the US where she underwent three surgeries, including omn to amputate her leg right below the knee.

The one place Ali had always felt safe – in the water – had now been taken from her; this was the start of a long road ahead of her.

“I love comeback stories,” the 24-year-old admitted

“I’ve definitely relied on other people’s comeback stories to help me hold on to what feels like a bold and unrealistic hope – of fighting off a shark and surviving, losing a limb and making the Paralympics all in a year.”

Ali Truwit: I don’t let fear rule my life

Getting back in the water has been far from easy for Truwit.

Incredibly, she found herself competing again just three months after the life-changing attack, with the Paris 2024 Paralympics firmly in her sights.

More importantly, her journey over the last 12 months has been about reclaiming her love of the water and not letting fear rule her life.

“I had lost enough and anything that was on the table for me to regain, I was going to fight to regain it,” the S10 classification swimmer said.

“I didn’t want to lose a limb and my love of the water, too.”

Physical therapy was a large part of her comeback, but working with therapists to overcome the emotional barrier would be one of the most important aspects of her return to the pool.

“The more I worked at it, the flashbacks reduced and the pain lessened,” Truwit added.

For Ali, it wasn’t just about getting back in the water and swimming again, though.

The Connecticut native wanted to channel her story into something good, launching the ‘Stronger Than You Think’ foundation.

It uses donations to help provide support for people without limbs - as well as their families - and promotes awareness of water safety.

“For anyone going through traumatic experiences or unexpected life events, we’re all still powerful, even as we are changed,” she told NBC.

“The water is still a place for me and it’s still a place that shows me my power and my strength.”