Exactly a year ago Caleb Swanepoel's life changed forever when his right leg had to be amputated above the knee.On June 27 last year he was attacked by a shark at Buffels Bay, near Knysna.It was a typical holiday morning for Caleb, 21, and his two brothers, Alex, 20, and Joshua, 23. They woke up excited to spend the day body surfing.''We saw a fin in the water and knew instantly that it was a shark," said Swanepoel.When his mother Tracy and two sisters Robin, 13, and Rebekah, 18, saw blood in the water they were on the stoep of their rented holiday beach house.Swanepoel isn't the first person in his family to suffer a shark attack.In 2010 his father's cousin Lloyd Skinner was killed by a shark in Fish Hoek.After the attack Swanepoel's recovery was remarkable.He was discharged from hospital on July 7 - only 10 days after the attack and soon returned to the University of Cape Town drama school, immersing himself in his course.Despite his all-consuming academic workload Swanepoel joined the Western Province disabled swimming team after being invited to take part in trials.He trains at the Sports Science Institute in Newlands three mornings a week and does terrain training.Both have played a major role in his rehabilitation.How does he do it all?''My family is what grounds me and keeps me going. They're my biggest supporters," said Swanepoel.He credits his mother for his values.''She taught us to believe that everything you do depends on you," he said.''This is true for everything you do in life. You can have all the support in the world but you have to be the one who decides," said Swanepoel."I try to focus on one day at a time. Nothing is ever perfect in rehab and training can be difficult."Achmat Hassiem, who lost a foot in a shark attack in Muizenberg in 2006, is on the swimming team with Swanepoel.''Achmat is a big inspiration for me. After I lost my leg he called me and said: 'Whatever you do, don't let it be a downer.' We're both amputees and have a strong bond. We get along well."Swanepoel embraces humour , recently posting a photo of his prosthetic leg lying on the floor of the gym with the caption: ''When your leg doesn't feel like training."''Humour helps me," said Swanepoel, ''maybe it's because I'm doing drama and am considered a bit of a clown by my mates. It's great to be able to laugh at life."Swanepoel's can-do attitude was part of the reason he won the Mr Models & Pageantry SA title in January and was on the cover of the MPSA magazine.''After the shark attack I thought I'd have to take the rest of the year off but I was encouraged to try to finish the academic year."He also caused a stir when he posted a video of his movement exam on Facebook three months after the attack.His precision and poise touched viewers.''Part of adjusting was discovering how my body works on the floor," he said.Watch the video at www.facebook.com/calebswanepoel-support/videos/1469930843315653/..