Leah Stewart, an Australian mother and teacher who lost an arm after a shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach, has been reading messages from supporters around the world during sleepless nights as she continues her long recovery, her family said."We’ve been sharing some of the beautiful messages we’ve received with Leah and she’s loved them, finding inspiration from the care and love you’ve all shared," her brother, Joshua Stewart, wrote in a GoFundMe update on Sunday."Leah has had some challenging days but has found real strength from your kindness and support," he added.Leah Stewart has struggled with sleep in her recovery and has leaned on the wave of support from family, friends and strangers.AUTHORITIES IDENTIFY WOMAN KILLED IN ALLIGATOR ATTACK WHILE SWIMMING WITH FRIENDS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA"Since the incident Leah has had difficulty sleeping, and on those nights she’s been reading back through your messages, not only from her family and community in Australia and her whānau in New Zealand, but also from people all across the world," he wrote, using the Maori word for family."They’ve given her real comfort and strength."Stewart, mother to a 1-year-old daughter and passionate teacher, was attacked June 13 while on a morning swim close to shore and within the flags at Coogee Beach, according to her family.
She suffered life-threatening injuries, including multiple bites across her arms and legs, lacerations, fractures and extreme blood loss.She was placed on life support, put under a medically induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries in the days after the attack.Her treatment required the amputation of one arm, and the family said more surgeries were scheduled as doctors worked to save her life and stabilize her condition.Stewart, who woke up from her 10-day coma after doctors reduced her sedation, told her mother and partner, Fernando, "I love you." Her brother said at the time that her first thoughts were with her young daughter, August.SHAR...