Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart celebrates major recovery milestone four months after losing her arm and ties her hair on her own

Published: 22:27 EDT, 18 October 2026 | Updated: 22:50 EDT, 18 October 2026 Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has opened up about the challenges of relearning everyday tasks after losing an arm in a terrifying mauling at a popular Sydney beach - and has revealed she hopes to return to the water eventually.The 35-year-old teacher and mother-of-one was swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach on June 13 when she was attacked by a suspected great white shark.She spent two weeks in a coma and underwent multiple surgeries, including the amputation of one arm below the elbow.Four months on, Ms Stewart has shared an emotional milestone in her recovery, revealing she has finally managed to plait her own hair after hundreds of failed attempts.'Can you see that? I just did that on my own,' Ms Stewart said while showing off her side plait.'I didn't think I would be able to do this. I had honestly given up on doing hair.'I have managed a plait! I am so happy - and I tied it myself. Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has learned how to do her hair again, four months after losing an arm Leah (centre) also addressed Coogee locals taking part in community bay swim'Before June, this would have been really lame, but my challenge to you is try and do a plait and tie it with one hand and see how tricky it is because I feel really clever.'Until now, Ms Stewart had relied on her partner, Fernando, to do her hair each morning.'Every day has its troubles at the moment,' she told 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham last month.'(My partner) Fernando does my hair most days and he is not great.'If you see me with my buttons loose, you know why.'At the beginning I couldn't brush my own teeth, but now I can do that.'The heartwarming update came as Ms Stewart returned to Coogee on Saturday to address dozens of locals taking part in a community bay swim.She spoke to the crowd about raising awareness, improving safety protocols and introducing infrastructure to help people regain confidence in the water. The Sydney mother's latest milestone follows hundreds of failed attemptsJoin the discussionWhat motivates someone to return to the ocean after surviving a shark attack?What's your view?'To the community that has absolutely stood up and stepped up in supporting me this far, I'm so thankful to be part of what has demonstrated what is the very best of human spirit,' Ms Stewart told locals.'Keep an eye out for my favourite Coogee local, the Eastern blue groper and give a wave from me.'An avid ocean swimmer before the ordeal, Ms Stewart hopes to take part in the next community swim as part of her recovery journey.She had previously been unsure about returning to the water.'I don't know about the ocean. If the drones are up and there's a shark net, maybe yeah, eventually,' she said.