Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton inspires little boy who lost his leg

(Photo: REUTERS / Danny Moloshok)Surfer Bethany Hamilton arrives at the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles August 7, 2011.

Bethany Hamilton has one inspiring story to share.  She lost her left arm in a shark attack in 2003 but that didn't stop her from achieving her dream of becoming a pro-surfer.  

This week, Hamilton, who inspired the hit movie Soul Surfer, met a little boy with a similarly courageous story to tell.

She was in Indian Wells, California, where she met 11-year-old Adrian Grajeda, who lost his right leg in 2013 when a car careered into a fence outside Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.  Grajeda had to have his leg amputated after being struck by debris from the collision.

But the loss of his leg has not dampened Grajeda's passion for life - and sport.  With the help of a new prosthetic leg, he enjoys playing soccer and softball, reports The Desert Sun.

And he revealed in his meeting with Hamilton at Southwest Church on Thursday night that, just like her, he wants to get into surfing next.  

Hamilton only had words of encouragement for the young Grajeda.  

"You're gonna rip," she told him. 

Speaking to the packed-out church, Hamilton revealed the difference faith had made to her life - especially after the shark attack.  

"I know if I didn't have this grounding in my life, this obstacle that was coming that I didn't know about ... I don't know where I would be," she admitted. 

Hamilton was at the church as part of a fundraiser for the expansion of the Salvation Army's Dick and Beverly Davis Corps Community Center in Cathedral City.  

The Salvation Army is working hard to raise the final $1m towards the total $3m price tag.  

Hamilton's story of overcoming the odds was turned into the hit 2011 film, Soul Surfer, in which she was played by Carrie Diaries star AnnaSophia Robb.  

The committed Christian regularly tours to give inspirational talks and is particularly passionate about encouraging young girls with self-esteem and body image issues.

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