By Arianna Kughn, director, GM product and brand communications
In June 2024, a beach trip to the Florida Panhandle took a tragic turn for then-15-year-old Lulu Gribbin, when she was attacked by a shark while wading off the coast. The incident resulted in the loss of her left hand and the amputation of her right leg above the knee.
Despite facing unimaginable adversity, Gribbin’s strength and positivity have defined her remarkable journey of recovery – and inspired others along the way. Driven by a desire to turn her experience into purpose, she launched the Lulu Strong Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to advancing technology and accessibility for those with limb loss.
Gribbin recently reached a major milestone, turning 16 and getting her driver’s license – a teenage rite of passage that a group of local Buick dealers from her native Alabama didn’t want her to miss. Inspired by her story, the Central Alabama Buick GMC dealers gifted her a 2025 Buick Envista Avenir, adapted to meet her needs and help her embrace the freedom of driving.
Upfitted with a left-foot accelerator pedal and a spinner knob for the steering wheel, Gribbin’s Envista has everything she needs to hit the road with confidence.
The best of the Buick Envista
The teen’s enthusiasm for her new Envista is contagious. “I literally drive it everywhere,” she says. Whether it’s picking up friends or making a stop at a local ice cream shop, she loves the freedom her Envista brings. What makes the Envista even better? The perfect mix of comfort, tech, and safety. Her favorite features:
- Available power moonroof: “I open it every day and just let my hair blow in the wind,” she says with a grin.
- Exterior styling: “Very pretty. Chic,” Gribbin says - and her friends agree. “When I took my friend for a drive she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s so pretty in here!’”
- In-vehicle technology: The 11-inch diagonal ultrawide infotainment screen, available wireless smartphone charging1, and seamless connectivity keep things fun and functional.
- Safety, driver assistance, and convenience features: Standard Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, plus standard IntelliBeam auto high beams and available Rainsense automatic windshieldS wipers help her feel confident driving in any weather.
More than just a car
For Gribbin, the Buick Envista is more than just a car — it provides freedom and independence. Each drive is a reminder of how far she’s come and the exciting road ahead. With her Envista, she is proving daily that nothing can slow her down — and Buick is proud to ride alongside her.
1The system wirelessly charges one compatible mobile device. Some phones have built-in wireless charging technology and others require a special adaptor/back cover. To check for phone or other device compatibility, see my.buick.com/support or consult your carrier.