{"id":21878,"date":"2016-06-22T15:31:01","date_gmt":"2016-06-22T19:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/?p=7863"},"modified":"2024-05-21T15:54:13","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T19:54:13","slug":"a-new-normal-randolph-teen-thriving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/a-new-normal-randolph-teen-thriving\/","title":{"rendered":"A New Normal: Randolph Teen Thriving"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ASHLEY CHAFIN<\/h3>\n

Posted June 22, 2016<\/em><\/p>\n

\"shark-bite
A year has passed since Kiersten Yow was bitten by a shark on Oak Island. She smiles for a photograph on her last day of school for the 2015-2016 year. Photo by Laurie Yow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June marks several milestones for Kiersten Yow. Now officially a teenager, she has garnered a variety of honors in school this year, including a young scholar award, a character award and recognition as an outstanding physical education student.<\/p>\n

In the past year, Kiersten switched from saxophone to playing the trumpet and plans to join the school band in the fall. She is looking forward to a fun summer full of video games, freshwater sports and relaxation.<\/p>\n

However, June also marks a major milestone for the Randolph County teen.<\/p>\n

On June 14, 2015, the Yow family was enjoying a sunny day at the beach on Oak Island. \u201cThen the scream came: \u2018Shark!\u2019 I saw my nephew\u2019s face and knew something horrible had happened, but never imagined what would come next,\u201d recounts Laurie, Kiersten\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n

Kiersten had been bitten by a shark.<\/p>\n

She was swimming when she felt something brush against her leg. Realizing it was a shark, she punched it three times but it latched onto her arm. Kiersten cannot recall if it was the shark or the waves pulling her under water and through the surf. When she resurfaced, the shark was gone. She thought to swim to shore before it could come back.<\/p>\n

Once on the shore, multitudes of people rushed to her side. \u201cThankfully God placed an angel, who happened to be a paramedic vacationing with her family, on the beach,\u201d Laurie says. The paramedic kept Kiersten alive until a helicopter arrived to take her to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. The doctors were able to repair most of the damage to her leg, but she lost her left arm below the elbow.<\/p>\n

After many months of hard work and determination, Kiersten was fitted for a myoelectric prosthetic arm.<\/p>\n

\"two
Kiersten and fellow shark bite survivor, Hunter Treschl, of Colorado, had a chance to share their experiences. Hunter was bitten only an hour after Kiersten on Oak Island and also lost an\u00a0arm. Both Kiersten and Hunter have been fitted for prosthetics. Photo by Laurie Yow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The prosthesis uses naturally generated electrical currents from muscles to send signals to her new hand and fingers. It fits over her left elbow like a sleeve and allows her to tie her shoes, carry bags, and lift heavier items by using two arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the little things that we often don\u2019t think about that mean the most,\u201d Laurie says.<\/p>\n

Kiersten also underwent multiple surgeries and rehabilitation to rebuild tissue and regain strength in her leg.<\/p>\n

The Kiersten Yow Support<\/a> Facebook page, managed by Laurie, documents Kiersten\u2019s progress. The posts reveal Kiersten taking on life with a smile and the motivation to make each day better than the last.<\/p>\n

Kiersten also has shared her story with other survivors. She and Todd Waites, a professional musician who relearned how to play the keyboard after losing his arm at 14, visited the North Carolina Zoo together. Waites also spoke at Kiersten\u2019s school on bullying and positivity.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo this day, she refuses to ask for help and wants everyone to see her as the same as she was a year ago, before the incident. She hasn\u2019t let the injuries define who she is. Does she have flashbacks and bad memories? Of course. Does she get frustrated? Absolutely. However, she doesn\u2019t let that bring her down to the point it is a crutch,\u201d Laurie says.<\/p>\n

\u201cDwelling on what happened doesn\u2019t alter it, but your attitude after it happens will determine the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about sharks in North Carolina, visit the North Carolina Sea Grant page, <\/em>ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/sharks<\/em><\/a>, for stories and blog posts.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ashley Chafin, a junior\u00a0at NC State University, is a communications intern with North Carolina Sea Grant.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Randolph County native Kiersten Yow suffered a shark bite on Oak Island in June 2015. 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