Tatyana Koltunyuk is making incredible strides on her recovery journey—especially considering the shark attack that left her with severe injuries just two years ago at Rockaway Beach. She lost a significant amount of flesh during the incident, which occurred while she was swimming alone near Beach 59th Avenue on August 7, 2023. This attack marked New York’s first manitor-related incident since the 1950s.
After enduring numerous surgeries and extensive physical and aqua therapy, the 67-year-old reached an important milestone recently while moving her legs, as shared on her GoFundMe page.
Her daughter, Dasha, recounted an emotional moment from July 9th when she received a text from her mom saying, “good morning with my feet.” The family feels a mix of joy and disbelief, as they reflect on what they consider a miracle; against all odds, her mind has somehow found ways for her to regain movement in her legs.
Dasha expressed immense gratitude toward the 1,200 individuals who contributed to the fundraising efforts, which have raised nearly $122,000 toward their goal of $135,000. She noted the importance of the creative and dedicated physiotherapists, the daily gym sessions, and the specialized equipment that has been essential for Tatyana’s progress.
“This moment—this faint light of breathtaking possibilities—wouldn’t have happened without all of you,” Dasha explained. “This victory belongs to everyone involved.” Tatyana, originally from Ukraine and a former marine engineer, has shown remarkable resilience since the life-changing attack, which she believes was caused by a shark.
For her recent birthday, Tatyana spent her morning in physical therapy, pushing through pain despite facing many challenges. Dasha detailed on April 5th how they swam for an hour and then continued with training classes. “It’s not just recovery. It’s transformation,” she remarked about her mother, highlighting her ability to turn adversity into something beautiful—pain, poetry, and art—all while maintaining her courage and humor.
However, the journey hasn’t been easy; the family has had to navigate financial difficulties, especially after Medicare stopped covering some of Tatyana’s treatment costs, which have reached $1,300 a month. Attempts to reach Koltunyuk and her daughter for additional comments were unsuccessful.
