Bethany and Louis each faced different difficulties and overwhelming odds of survival that they have shared with the world. While Bethany was surfing, she got attacked by a shark and lost her left arm at age 13. An article in Scholastic Scope explains that While lying on her board, Bethany suddenly felt her left arm getting pulled back and forth for a few seconds. She felt no pain until she noticed the water around her had turned red and her left arm had been severed nearly to her shoulder. Bethany was rushed to Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Losing roughly 60 percent of her blood and having several surgeries, she was stabilized and released after a few days. The story drew national attention and it was announced that Bethany had been attacked by …show more content…
Although Bethany lost her arm in a horrible shark attack, she was still determined to pursue her dreams and keep surfing. However, Louis had a much different experience with …show more content…
They collected rainwater and killed birds that happened to land on the raft. They found themselves on a Pacific island in Japanese territory. Although they were saved from the ocean, the men were soon taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese. Louis and Phillips were separated and tortured. They were beaten and starved. Louis was also singled out and abused repeatedly by a camp sergeant called the Bird. Louis talks about his experience and states, “Every one of them is either swearing at you, throwing rocks at you, jabbing you with sticks, and spitting on you. Here you are 65 lbs and starved. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of home.” They were at the prison camps for more than two years and were officially pronounced dead by the U.S. military. He was finally released after the war ended in 1945, and he returned to the United States. (“Louis Zamperini Biography”) Louis faced horrid things but he never gave up. He stayed strong and looked forward for the day to come when he could go back home. Bethany and Louis had different situations but they both are strong and had never give up attitudes which is why so many people look up to