“I was in cardiac arrest for an hour. Now I’m in a wheelchair”: Chiara Teocchi speaks for the first time after her serious accident

Almost two months after the serious fall she suffered during the XCO World Cup in La Thuile, Chiara Teocchi has spoken publicly for the first time to explain what has happened since that accident. The Italian cyclist has revealed the enormous severity of the complications she subsequently suffered and confirms that she is currently in a wheelchair and is facing a long rehabilitation process with the goal of walking again.

Chiara Teocchi explains for the first time everything that happened since her accident in La Thuile

On July 5, the XCO race of the La Thuile World Cup completely changed Chiara Teocchi's life. The BH Coloma Team rider suffered a very hard fall during the event and had to be evacuated by helicopter to the hospital.

The initial information conveyed by the team at that time invited some optimism given the severity of the accident. Teocchi was conscious and out of danger. But her subsequent evolution was much more complicated than what was publicly known.

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Several weeks later, the BH Coloma Team issued a second update confirming that Teocchi had to undergo surgery and that complications had arisen during the procedure. Out of respect for the rider's and her family's privacy, no further details were provided at that time.

Now it has been Chiara herself who has decided to explain for the first time what really happened.

After initially being hospitalized in Augusta, Teocchi decided to move to the hospital in Bergamo. There, she explains, new tests performed on her back revealed a spinal injury, and the doctors decided to operate on her.

It was during that operation that the situation became critical.

"Unfortunately, during the operation, I suffered an allergic reaction to the anesthesia and was in cardiac arrest for an hour. For an hour, I was dead," Teocchi explains.

The medical staff at the Bergamo hospital managed to resuscitate her.  "Fortunately, the entire team at the Bergamo hospital managed to save my life. And here I am. I have won the best race of my life, the most important one."

The Italian acknowledges that these were particularly difficult moments for her family, although she assures that her situation has improved. In her message, she wanted to expressly thank the work of the Bergamo hospital and the support of her family, her team, the Italian Army, and all the people who have sent her messages or reached out to her during these weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

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"Now I am in a wheelchair"

Teocchi herself has also confirmed the most significant consequence that this entire process has left so far.

"Unfortunately, the operation on my back did not go as well as we hoped. So now I have a new best friend, I don't know for how long. Now I am in a wheelchair."

Chiara is now facing a recovery process whose extent is still impossible to determine.

"It is going to be a long road, and we still don't know where it will take us," she explains.

Despite all the uncertainties, her message conveys optimism and an absolute determination to face rehabilitation.

"I am really, really grateful to everyone. I am staying very positive and working very hard to walk again. But only time and God will tell us what will happen. We continue to be positive."

Chiara Teocchi launches a campaign to fund her rehabilitation

The process that begins now will require time, specialized rehabilitation, medical attention, equipment, and ongoing support. For this reason, Chiara Teocchi herself has launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to help finance her recovery.

The campaign, titled Chiara's Journey to recovery, explains that there are still many uncertainties about how her injury will evolve, but emphasizes that Teocchi is determined to work and take advantage of all available possibilities for her recovery.

The initial goal has been set at 30,000 euros, and at the time of writing this, the initiative had already raised over 19,000 euros through more than 200 donations.

Each contribution will help cover the needs arising from her rehabilitation, medical care, and equipment. The campaign also encourages those who cannot contribute financially to share it to increase its reach.

After almost two months without speaking publicly about what happened, Chiara wanted to close her first message with the same positive tone she maintains throughout her intervention:

"I hope to see you all soon. For my part, I am fine, I am happy, and I send you a big kiss."