BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (CBS12) — Nearly a year after surviving a shark attack that doctors feared would cost her a hand, a young Florida girl has returned to the beach where her life changed forever.

Leah Lendel was snorkeling with her family in the waters off Boca Grande about 10 months ago when a shark bit her hand, nearly severing it. The violent encounter led to a frantic rescue effort, with first responders and nearby construction workers rushing in to help before she was airlifted to undergo emergency surgery.

Surgeons were able to successfully reattach her hand — an outcome her parents initially believed was unlikely.

“I already went through all the hard stuff already,” Leah said. “Like, there’s nothing more hard for me now.”

On Friday, Leah and her family revisited the stretch of beach where the attack happened, a return her mother says is part of the healing process.

“We come out here often for her request, to just sit and remember what happened,” said Leah’s mother, Nadia Lendel. “But also to remember that it’s such a great outcome for her. We have her. She’s alive.”

The attack remains vivid in Leah’s mind. Standing at the shoreline, she pointed to dark patches in the Gulf water, recalling where she believes the shark emerged.

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Despite the trauma, Leah has shown little fear of the ocean. Instead, she continues to focus on her recovery, attending physical therapy to regain strength and dexterity in her hand and wrist.

“I can’t really play piano now and I can’t pick up more than eight pounds,” Leah said. “But me and my therapist are working for me to get my wrist strength back.”

Her mother admits the return to the water still makes her nervous, especially as Leah talks about wanting to snorkel again someday.

“She’s not afraid,” Nadia said. “She’s fearless.”

In the moments following the attack, Nadia said the family could only pray as the reality of the situation set in.

“When you see something this bad, reality hits,” she said. “You’re like, this is what it is.”

Leah said she hopes her experience doesn’t leave others fearful of Florida’s beaches. Instead, she encourages awareness and caution.

“It’s really rare that sharks even attack a person,” Leah said. “I would recommend not swimming in murky water.”

Leah’s parents originally feared there was a nearcertain chance she would lose her hand. Now, they say they are simply grateful she is continuing to heal — and that she still has the confidence to face the water where she nearly lost so much.

For Leah and her family, Boca Grande has become less a place of fear and more a reminder of survival, resilience and a second chance.