Professional surfer, Leila Hurst, grew up riding the waves.
Her sister, Sophia, grew up very differently. Sophia was born with spina bifida, and has undergone 29 surgeries in 27 years.
“She watched me grow up as an athlete winning surfing competitions from a young age,” shares Leila. While the sisters both experienced challenges in their lives, their struggles were different. “We had nothing in common – making it hard to relate to each other.”
But things changed four years ago when the sisters joined up with an organization that helps people with paralysis and spina bifida “experience the feeling of riding a wave.” The sisters were able to form a bond while on the surfboard together. And Leila got to cheer on her sister while Sophia rode a wave to shore.
“Learning to embrace our differences is the journey we call life,” Leila narrates in a touching video that takes the viewer on a journey through the sisters’ lives.
Watch the video below to see Leila and Sophia share the thrill of the ocean.
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