Lulu Gribbin

Last updated
Lulu Ann Gribbin
Born (2008-10-03) October 3, 2008 (age 17)
Colorado
Education Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook, Alabama
Known forSurviving a shark attack and advocating for amputees
Website https://www.lulustrong.com

Lulu Gribbin (born October 3, 2008) is a para-athlete and youth advocate who founded the Lulu Strong Foundation in 2025, a program to assist amputees. She survived a shark attack in 2024 which led to the loss of her left hand and her right leg, with another portion having to be amputated. She has also advocated for a bill that would allow emergency alerts following a shark attack.

Contents

Shark attack

Lulu Gribbin was attacked by a bull shark on June 7, 2024 at Seacrest Beach while on vacation in Florida. [1] [2] According to Gribbin's account, she lost her left hand first, then part of her right leg, [3] but another portion of it had to be amputated. [4] She spent 77 days in the Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast for her recovery. [4]

Activism

Lulu's Law

Lulu's Law was introduced in Alabama on July 8, 2024 [5] , then the United States House of Representatives on August 16 of that same year. [6] That law would require Wireless Emergency Alerts to be issued in the event of a shark attack. Gribbin's attack followed the attack of another woman named McCray Faust 90 minutes prior, and a few miles away. [6] [5] The bill would have originally allowed for an emergency alert to be issued if there was an "imminent danger" caused by sharks. It was updated to allow for alerts only if there had been an unprovoked attack, after community members worried that it might lead to excessive alerts. [7]

Lulu Strong Foundation (2025-)

Lulu Strong Foundation logo Lulu Strong Foundation logo.svg
Lulu Strong Foundation logo

She created the Lulu Strong Foundation to support to help amputees receive lighter-weight prosthetics faster. She stated, "I would love to have kids be able to experience what I’ve experienced and have just an amazing life an amputee". [8] Gribbin states that the mission of the foundation is to fund research in prosthetics. [9]

The board of her project consists of her mom, Ann Blair Gribbin, who helped co-found, Davis Butler, a shareholder in Baker Donelson’s Atlanta office, who specializes in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and strategic advisory work. Stephen Faust, CEO of Dash Solutions, and a financial technology specialist, also helped co-found the project. David Jones, a forearm amputee, is also part of the board. [10]

Sports

Golf

Lulu Gribbin started playing golf three months after she was attacked. She started swinging with her remaining hand, until she started to use a custom-made golf prosthesis attachment made from PVC. She took the design and put it through a 3D printer.

She walked the thirteenth hole with Justin Thomas at a Waste Management Phoenix Open practice round, sinking in a birdie putt. She also played the sixteenth hole with Rickie Fowler. [11]

Other sports

Aside from golf, she does water skiing or running on the side. [4]

Awards

She was given the Southern Living Southerner of the Year award in 2025. [12]

References

  1. ↑ Weil, Robyn; Joyce, Stephan; Brady, Erin; Najib, Shafiq (September 17, 2025). "Teen shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin shares recovery journey and new mission". ABC News. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  2. ↑ Walcott, Escher (June 11, 2024). "Mom of Teen in Rare Double Shark Attack Gives Update on Her Daughter After Leg Amputation: 'Lulu Is Here'". People.com. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Shark attack survivor presses her state for an alert system to keep people safe in the water". NBC News. April 10, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Our Story". Lulu Strong Foundation. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "U.S. Senator Katie Britt Introduces Lulu's Law in Honor of Brave Alabama Teenager". Senator Katie Britt. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Rep. Palmer Introduces Lulu's Law | Congressman Gary Palmer". palmer.house.gov. August 16, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Alabama teen who barely survived shark attack presses lawmakers for new alert system - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. April 10, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  8. ↑ Hybels, Amy (March 7, 2025). "Shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin shares her story with Monday Morning Quarterback Club". CBS 42. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  9. ↑ Ramos, Charlize (November 29, 2025). "Lulu Gribbin launching 'Lulu Strong' Foundation to support amputees". WIAT Birmingham. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Our Board". Lulu Strong Foundation. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ "After Surviving Shark Attack, Lulu Gribbin Is Thriving Through Golf". www.pga.com. May 18, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  12. ↑ "More Than A Year After Her Tragedy, Lulu Gribbin Inspires Us With Her Sense Of Hope, Purpose, And Advocacy". Southern Living. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
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