Nearly two weeks after a devastating shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach shocked Australia, Leah Stewart’s family has shared the most encouraging update since the incident, revealing the young mother has finally reunited with her daughter after waking from heavy sedation.

The emotional reunion marks a significant milestone in Stewart’s recovery. While doctors caution that she still faces months of surgery and rehabilitation, her family says seeing her daughter again has become one of the most uplifting moments since the attack that left her fighting for her life.

According to Stewart’s brother, Joshua, Leah is now awake, alert and no longer in a critical condition. She has been speaking with family members and her medical team, and has surprised doctors by recovering consciousness sooner than many had anticipated. He described the reunion with her daughter, August, as an unforgettable moment for the family, noting it was the first time mother and daughter had been together since the attack.

Joshua also revealed that Leah remembers the entire incident in remarkable detail. Although she intends to share more about her experience in the future, her immediate focus remains on pain management, further medical treatment and rebuilding her strength. Family members say she has approached every stage of recovery with extraordinary determination despite the physical challenges that remain ahead.

The injuries Leah suffered were among the most severe seen in a shark attack in recent years. After being bitten while swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach, she was rescued by lifeguards and rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney with life-threatening injuries. Surgeons later amputated one of her arms in an effort to save her life, while extensive damage to tendons and nerves in her remaining arm continues to require specialist treatment.

Doctors expect Stewart will undergo additional operations over the coming weeks before beginning an intensive rehabilitation program. Her brother said she currently has limited use of her remaining hand because of nerve and tendon injuries, making the recovery process far more complex than simply healing from the initial trauma. Even so, the family remains optimistic after the significant progress she has already made.

The story has prompted an extraordinary response across Australia. Thousands of people have donated to a fundraising campaign established to help cover Leah’s long-term rehabilitation, prosthetic care and support for her young family. Community members also gathered at Coogee Beach for a public swim to show solidarity and encourage local residents to return to the beach after the frightening incident.

While attention has naturally focused on Stewart’s recovery, the attack has also renewed discussion about shark safety along New South Wales beaches. Authorities have expanded drone surveillance and continued monitoring after several great white shark sightings were reported along Sydney’s coastline. Marine experts say seasonal fish migrations can draw sharks closer to shore during parts of the year, increasing the likelihood of encounters without suggesting that beaches are unsafe under normal conditions.

For Stewart’s family, however, those broader discussions remain secondary. Their immediate priority is supporting Leah through the difficult months ahead as she continues surgery, rehabilitation and adjustment to life after the attack. They have repeatedly thanked lifeguards, emergency responders, hospital staff and members of the public whose quick actions and ongoing support have played a vital role in her survival and recovery.

Although the road ahead will be long, the latest update represents the strongest sign yet that Leah is moving beyond the most critical stage of her recovery. What began as a story of survival is increasingly becoming one of resilience, family and the determination to rebuild after an event that changed her life in an instant.