Craig Hutto

NewsChannel5.com
Teenager Makes Amazing Recovery After Shark Attack
Posted: 12/29/2005 6:33:06 PM

Six months ago this week, a Lebanon teenager lost his leg to a shark. Now is Craig Hutto is moving on with his life. For the first time since his family vacation to Florida Thursday, Craig Hutto throws a baseball.

“It feels the same. My leg ain't no different,” said Craig Hutto.

Craig is a natural athlete, and he can still throw heat. What's amazing is he's doing it on only one natural leg. Six months ago, a bull shark attacked him in the waters off Panama City Beach. The shark took most of his right leg, and lacerated his hands.

Craig was pulled to the beach and nearly died from the loss of blood. But, now he's home, enjoying the holidays, playing some catch, and still practicing his true sport of choice, basketball.

“The only thing I can't do that anybody can do is go up stairs,” said Craig.

And he can do that, just one foot at a time. In all other instances, his prosthetic leg mimics a real one.

“There's a computer in this you toe off and goes to free knee like you're walking,” said Craig.

When people ask Craig if he'll ever go in the ocean again. He says he will. He says what are the chances of getting bitten by a shark twice? It was rare to happen once, and now Craig figures he'll make the best of it down to the artwork on his new leg.

That shark bite tattoo is almost Craig's way of winking at what happened, to say that the attack won't keep him down. He’s back at Lebanon High School as a junior, and he’s still involved in sports.

In fact, he's now training to do the water leg of a triathlon with his two brothers next year. He can even drive a car using his left leg.

And Craig has gotten a lot of support from his family.

And, the family wants to give thanks to everyone in middle Tennessee for their prayers and support.

(c) NewsChannel5.com 2005