Paralympian Haven Shepherd was 14 months old when her parents tried to kill her.

Content warning: This post includes descriptions of domestic violence.

Haven Shepherd, born Do Thi Thuy Phuong, was 14 months old when her father held her against her mother while strapped to a bomb. It detonated and killed the two adults instantly.

While Haven was thrown nearly 10 metres from their family's Vietnamese hut, she miraculously survived but suffered severe injuries to her legs, as well as burns and shrapnel to the head. 

"I survived something so dramatic — I wasn't supposed to live," Haven told the BBC when she was 15 years old.

WATCH BELOW: Haven Shepherd competes in the Citi ParaWorld Series. Post continues below.

As to why Haven's father tried to take their lives, there are conflicting reports. Local media alleged that Haven's mother threatened to leave her husband after discovering he was having an affair. 

Her grandmother, however, told Haven that her parents were unable to marry and made the joint decision to detonate the bomb so they could be together in the afterlife.

Following the explosion, Haven's grandmother rushed her to hospital on a motorcycle. Here, the victim had her legs amputated. In the coming weeks, Haven's grandparents would find themselves unable to pay for medical bills, relying on donations. 

Haven with her adoptive parents, Shelly (right) and Rob (left). Image: Instagram/@havenfaithshepherd & @shepherdshelly

A year later, in 2004, a Missouri couple named Shelly and Rob Shepherd joined their friends Pam and Randy on a visit to Vietnam. The trip was intended to facilitate Haven's adoption to another couple in the United States. 

"We didn't know then that we'd fall in love with (Haven)" Shelly told the BBC, while Rob recalled the heartbreaking moment he and Shelly "handed the baby over" to her adoptive parents.

It was six days later that Shelly received a life-changing call from Pam. The adoptive parents had decided that Haven wasn't the right fit for their family. Hours later, the Shepherds held Haven in their arms once again as her official adoptive parents.

"When she came back through the door, our family was complete," an emotional Shelly said.

Meanwhile, Haven told CNN Sports in 2021: "My mum was always really honest about what happened to me and it’s definitely made me the person that I am now."

Haven after competing in the Women's 100m Breaststroke at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Image: Getty

With six sporting siblings, Haven told the BBC that she "always knew (she) was going to be an athlete." 

Growing up, the sporty toddler tried running, but the sweat made her prosthetics slip. Instead, at age 10, she turned to swimming. And trained. Hard. Not only swimming laps, but committing to years of CrossFit. It paid off.

In just three years, the 13-year-old's swimming times were so impressive that the US Paralympic team recruited her. Haven went on to represent Team USA in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. She made the final in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley, where she ranked fifth.

While she made it to the trials for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Haven didn't quite qualify this time around — sharing the disappointing news to Instagram.

She was swimming from the age of 10. Image: Getty

"I swam well this weekend, but it wasn't quite fast enough to make team USA," she wrote. "I will not be going to Paris, but I will be trying to figure out what to do with my time not being in the pool and how to deal with dry hair on a daily basis.

"Of course, I am disappointed because I put in a lot of hard work, but I am excited for the next chapters of my life and to see what God has in store in the days to come."

Despite her passion for swimming, Haven told E! News that her "biggest dream" is "for people to take away something (she) taught them."

"If I lose my job tomorrow and nobody remembers me, but they do remember the one thing I taught them was just to go out there and be yourself. Knowing that you've touched somebody will probably be my biggest dream."

If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

Mamamia is a charity partner of RizeUp Australia, a national organisation that helps women, children and families move on after the devastation of domestic and family violence. Their mission is to deliver life-changing and practical support to these families when they need it most. If you would like to support their mission you can donate here. 

Feature Image: Getty.