In early June, all of Birmingham was shocked and horrified by the news of a shark attack off Rosemary Beach that resulted in the critical medical condition of a Mountain Brook teenager LuLu Gribbin.
Since the attack, hundreds of thousands have been anxiously awaiting her full recovery and return home. Support is clearly shown in her hometown of Mountain Brook where thousands of homes on nearly every street have mailboxes decorated with purple bows. The purple bows, primarily purchased through local shop Smith’s Variety, are intended to be a display of support for Lulu to see on her return.
A recent major development comes in the form of a law introduced by U.S. Senator Katie Britt. According to AL.com, the new law, named Lulu's Law, "would codify shark attacks as events for which wireless emergency alerts would be transmitted." Senator Britt hopes that the establishment of Lulu's Law will prevent shark attacks.
Through the new law, authorities would send out shark attack warnings via text message alerts to the public when a shark attack has been reported or if conditions for a shark attack are likely. This alert would work similarly to an Amber alert and would work to prevent multiple attacks from occurring in sequence. This is an exciting and remarkable development for Lulu and those affected by the recent shark attacks.
In a recent post on Lulu’s CaringBridge page, her Aunt Mona gives an inspiring and heartfelt update on Lulu’s progress:
I’m so honored to be back with Lulu for the long weekend taking care of her in the hospital. What a difference she’s made in rehab since I was here last time! She is becoming so independent and working so hard!
I call this phase “Holy Saturday” because she’s in the “in-between” healing part now…the tragedy and survival is behind her, but we don’t know yet what she’ll be…her “Easter” story is still being written!
In this healing phase…
She is encouraged by all the well wishes, mail, gifts, prayers, love and support. It is truly overwhelming to comprehend and she can’t believe it when she opens mail from across the country! We enjoy reading notes and cards everyday together. So humbling that so many love our Lulu.
She is resilient-her positive attitude is contagious! She truly does cheer on other patients and hollers their name and says “you got this” in PT/OT sessions or challenges them to an impromptu wheelchair race or makes cookies for others.
She also knows all the staff and loves to catch up with them when they’re working out. She even called Stephen Beene (one of her rescuers that fended off the shark) and wished him Happy Birthday, told him she was grateful for him and his life.
In a recent post by Matt Lidle, one of Lulu's saviors the day of the shark attack, he shares his reflections on his role in Lulu's ongoing recovery:
In the end, I’m just grateful that as an ordinary sales guy, I was able to help in some way. Watching Lulu’s recovery and seeing her strength has been incredibly inspiring. I’m thankful that she is with ya’ll, and I hope that one day, we can meet again under happier circumstances.
For those interested in supporting Lulu during her recovery, find updates on her CaringBridge page and Instagram account.
