TAMPA, Fla. — Ten-year-old Leah Lendel and her family love going to Boca Grande Beach.

Lendel said she loves finding shark teeth on the beach.

Over the last year, there’s been newfound meaning behind that search. Leah survived a shark attack on June 11, 2025, when she almost lost her right hand.

“It feels like I was just there standing, and like it was in seconds that it bit me,” she said. “It’s like healing and you’re already doing the most part. And now you just look back on it.”

Leah’s mother, Nadia, said she has so many emotions when thinking about the ordeal.

Surgeons at Tampa General Hospital were able to reattach Leah’s hand. Physical therapy has decreased from three times a week to one, with great results. Nadia said she’s proud of her daughter’s progress.

“For her to be even stronger, you know, as a mom I want her to get back to everything that she loves doing,” Nadia said.

That’s exactly what’s happening.

“So, today my hand is really good, and so I’m starting to play piano,” said Leah, who hadn’t been able to play until recently. “(And) I am almost scuba-certified.”

While Leah looks ahead to getting stronger, the family looks back with gratitude.

“Just grateful,” said Nadia. “Grateful that we’re all together. We could have lost her. She could have lost her hand and that didn’t happen.”

The family continues to revisit the site of the attack for that reminder. When Leah’s father, Jay launches his drone, he still sees sharks in the same area. It adds confidence to their decision to stay on the sand. 

Part of Leah’s shark tooth collection was used to create a thank you gift for the Boca Grande Fire Department that responded to the call.

“I made this out of all the shark teeth,” said Leah of a framed photograph of her and the first responders.

The firefighters are happy to see Leah thriving and gave her a much different experience one year later. She got a tour of the fire station and quite a different ride in an emergency vehicle.

“When they get to come here and have fun with us and get to sit inside the vehicles and see that it’s not so scary, see that it’s just part of our job and what we do obviously that’s a great experience for us and for them,” said John Ambrozic, Firefighter/Paramedic.

And as her recovery continues, it’s full speed ahead for Leah.

“I can already do a lot of stuff,” she said. “That normal kids do.”