Nine-year-old cougar survivor shares recovery story

(CNN) - In Washington, a girl who was attacked by a cougar while she was playing with her friends is sharing her story of survival, and how she's moving forward from the terrifying ordeal.

For Lily Kryzhanivsky, she spent a week at Sacred Heart after the attack, but you would never know she was on the brink of death.

Today, she's full of life and living hers to the fullest. She loves doing cartwheels and playing in the park.

While she can do those things now, not too long ago, she was stuck in the hospital when a cougar almost killed her, but she fought back.

"I started just fighting and kicking and punching and then the cougar came right behind me to my head and he started chewing it, and I was really scared. I had to keep on fighting, and I started praying so that way God might be able to save my life," Kryzhanivsky spoke.

Kryzhanivsky believes that God saved her life and is now helping her heal.

Although her road to recovery has not been easy, Kryzhanivsky is looking to the positives.

"I couldn't look at myself in the mirror because I was too scared to see how many scars I got and all of the short hair, but then I noticed it was actually me. I didn't change. I'm the same old me.”

She's a nine-year-old who's braver than many, with a story of survival she isn't afraid to tell.

"I'm at least happy that the cougar cannot do any more trouble, but I'm happy that at least I'm alive and get to do everything and be with you."

We can all learn a lot from Lily. She's wise beyond her years and isn't letting this attack or really anything hold her back.

"Whoever is going through something hard, they have to stay confident."

That confidence radiates through her. She was left to die, but now she's living with no fear in sight.

"You can just overcome and you can face your biggest fear."

This Saturday is a big day for Lilly as she celebrates her tenth birthday, something that is worth celebrating.