A young mother left in a coma after being mauled by a shark says she can finally see some light two months into her recovery.
Leah Stewart spent a week on life support and underwent numerous surgeries, including an arm amputation, after being bitten by a great white shark at Sydney's Coogee Beach in June.
In an update posted to an online fundraiser, which raised more than $550,000 to support her recovery, Ms Stewart said she had finally regained some independence after an incredibly difficult few months.
"I can finally see some light after all of this," she said.
"I still have a long way to go, but my recovery has been remarkable."
She said donations had been turned off and thanked all of her supporters.
The money raised was enough to allow her to stay in her home throughout her recovery and for further medical treatment in the future, she said.
"I want you to know I feel like I've been given a second chance at life, and I'm not going to waste it," Ms Stewart said.
"As I get better, I know I'll make something of this second chance and aim to give back even more in generosity, care, and love."
Ms Stewart, a teacher, was bitten multiple times on her arms and legs while on a morning swim near the shore and between the flags, her brother Joshua Stewart said on the fundraising page.
Ms Stewart's attack reignited calls to cull sharks to protect swimmers, but NSW Premier Chris Minns said the great white population could not be targeted as it was protected.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted a temporary exemption for aerial surveillance of Coogee Beach in the wake of the attack.
The beach is about eight kilometres from Sydney Airport.
Shark nets, which are temporarily removed during the winter whale migration season, will be reinstalled at the start of September.
Australian Associated Press