Soul Surfer is considered to be a movie with strong representation of differently-abled individuals because the film centers around Bethany Hamilton, a physically handicapped teenage girl determined to return to competitive surfing after losing her left arm in a shark attack. AnnaSophia Robb stars as the 13-year-old Bethany and Lorraine Nicholson co-stars as the 13-year-old Alana Blanchard. Other key characters are the Hamilton and the Blanchard family members, as they help Bethany as she struggles to get back in the water after her injury.
This article will cover many elements that track the representation of a physical handicap through the lens of Bethany Hamilton's experience.
Firstly, the horrific shark attack that Bethany encounters at a young age is considered by viewers to be a very scary situation, as she fears that she will lose her life instantly when the shark bites off her left arm. Her family and friends notice that she is in mortal danger; they get her out of the water quickly before she loses too much blood. The loss of her left arm captures the grief and terror of losing a part of oneself.
As told in Bethany's voiceovers, she also struggles with her daily activities during her recovery period as she navigates life with only one arm. She becomes self-conscious about her body, as she sees who she perceives as "normal" people around her without any impairment. She feels frustrated when people stare at her. She is also overwhelmed when the paparazzi and the staff from Inside Edition start to interview her about the accident. Bethany shares a memorable quote that others with physical differences can relate to:
