It is difficult to share this devastating news with you.
Our daughter Ava, a 14-year-old gymnast on the Australian National Team, sustained a serious spinal injury at training on 7 April 2023. Despite emergency surgery, she has had no movement yet below her point of injury. Ava has been a dedicated gymnast since the age of 5. She is one of Gymnastics’ Australia’s Junior International athletes, that was training for the 2024 Olympics.
Her mental and physical strength has carved a path to beat the unbelievable odds it takes to reach this level in elite sports. It’s hard to express in words or photos the magnitude of how much Ava’s life completely changed overnight. We are told we have a very long road ahead. It has been an inconceivable process we are not asking any of you to imagine.
We are asking you to spread a positive message for hope, love and prayers.
Ava Costa, a 14-year-old Australian National Team Gymnast, experienced a devastating training accident on April 7th, 2023, resulting in a spinal cord injury.
Despite the severity of the injury, Ava remains a positive and inspiring young woman. As the youngest of four siblings, with three older brothers, Ava has always displayed a strong-willed and determined personality. She exemplifies amazing focus and discipline, waking up every morning at 5:30 am to attend training. Her remarkable determination was evident from a young age when she created a vision board at just 10 years old and even started a design business at age 12 during the lockdowns while continuing her gymnastics training at home. Furthermore, she managed to maintain an A grade report card at school while training at the elite level.
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We have no doubt that the same qualities that have helped Ava succeed in gymnastics will also aid in her recovery from this injury. Her positive attitude, infectious smile, and sense of humor continue to inspire her doctors, nurses, physios, and occupational therapists.
Despite the circumstances, Ava remains compassionate and caring, already brainstorming ways she can assist others with spinal cord injuries.
Please follow WalkingWithAva on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, and consider supporting the Costa family, as they endeavour to provide the best possible care for Ava.
Thank you for your love and support.
