Fitness influencer Flávia Bueno is at the risk of suffering from permanent paralysis following a diving accident in Brazil.
According to Brazilian news outlet UOL, translated by Us Weekly, Bueno, 35, hit her head on a sandbar while diving at a beach near São Paulo on January 3. Bueno’s brother Felipe Checchi told the outlet that his sister was not doing any dangerous sport and that the accident occurred during a simple dive.
Following the incident, Bueno fainted and was rushed to the hospital. She was placed in a private ICU and intubated. Bueno suffered a severe spinal cord injury on multiple vertebrae and a brain injury. She has undergone two spine surgeries so far.
“Flávia is a determined woman above all else. She has a huge heart for the lives of others. And she is a very strong woman,” Checchi told the outlet on Wednesday, January 14. “Inside, she’s a little girl when she’s with her family, but in her personal and professional life, she’s a very strong, very competent woman. Truly, that’s how I see my sister.”
According to her brother, Bueno has regained consciousness and is expected to remain in the hospital for 30 to 40 days.
“She can communicate with us, without speaking, she understands dimensions, processes and recognizes everyone,” he told UOL.
A GoFundMe page was organized for Bueno to help with her recovery. The page stated that doctors have told Bueno’s family that the social media star “has a high risk of permanent paralysis.”
“Flavia has no health insurance. She remains in a private ICU, with medical costs already exceeding $200,000+ and rising every day,” the page read. “She cannot yet be transferred to a public hospital because her life is still at risk. We are asking for help to keep Flavia alive and give her a chance at recovery. Every donation matters. Every share helps. Thank you for standing with us.”
The fundraiser has earned more than $4,100 worth of donations at the time of writing. The page has a total goal of $20,000. Donations are also being accepted directly to Felipe’s email address.
Bueno’s family shared an update on her condition on Wednesday via her Instagram page.
Brazilian kite surfer Bruno Lobo is not only an Olympic athlete, but he’s also a real-life hero. Lobo, 31, came to a drowning woman’s aid during a training session off the coast of São Luís, Brazil, on Friday, January 10. “The day God used me as an instrument to save this young woman, all honor […]
“This one is to uplift the strength of this woman 👩 ♥️ We’ve lived long enough beside her to see her faith and strength in different moments … but this one in particular, the most difficult of our lives … seeing you like this, acting, reacting, being a mother,” read the post’s caption. “God bless us to inherit his fiber… we love you, Mother ! We will go together with all strength and faith.”
Bueno is best known for creating fitness content and sharing wellness advice. She has amassed more than 150,000 followers on Instagram.
Prior to the accident, Bueno shared an Instagram Reel wishing her followers a happy holiday season.
“Where to? Besttt!? We are stronger together 😅 Merry Christmas my loves May there be only harmony and happiness today!” she captioned a video of her sipping a warm drink while sitting outside on her porch.
