A Brazilian nutritionist and social media influencer is fighting for her life and may be left paralysed after a horrific diving accident at a popular beach.
A Fateful Dive on January 3rd
Flávia Bueno, aged 35, was enjoying a day at Maresias beach in São Sebastião with a friend on January 3. According to her family, after her friend dived into the ocean, Bueno followed but struck her head on a hidden sandbar. The impact knocked her unconscious.
She was rushed to a local hospital before being intubated and transferred to another facility due to the critical nature of her injuries. Medical scans revealed the devastating extent of the trauma: a serious spinal cord injury affecting three vertebrae and a brain injury caused by two mini-strokes following arterial blockage.
Long Road to Recovery and Mounting Costs
On January 4, Bueno was moved to a private hospital in São Paulo, where she underwent surgery to relieve pressure on her spinal cord and nerve roots. A second operation followed on January 11. Her brother, Felipe, has reported positive signs, stating she is now out of a coma, conscious, and in a more stable condition in the ICU.
"She can communicate with us without speaking, understands what's going on, and recognises everyone," he said. However, a grim prognosis remains. A GoFundMe page set up to cover her enormous medical bills states that doctors warn there is still a high risk of permanent paralysis.
The financial burden is severe. Bueno has no health insurance, and costs in the private ICU have already surpassed $200,000, increasing daily. She cannot be moved to a public hospital as her life is still considered at risk.
Calls for Action and Outpouring of Support
Flávia Bueno, who has 153,000 Instagram followers, built her online presence around fitness, promising to help others "lose fat while gaining muscle." Her social media, once filled with images of her toned physique, is now flooded with messages from fans praying for her recovery.
Her brother Felipe is now urging authorities to install warning signs at beaches to highlight the dangers of sandbars and prevent similar tragedies. "Flávia is, above all, a determined woman, with a huge heart for others. She is also incredibly strong," he said.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can exist in popular tourist destinations and the life-altering consequences a single moment can bring.
