Former NBA player's expectant spouse publicly shares her experiences following a shark attack
Pregnant Wife of Former NBA Player Survives Shark Bite Incident in Puerto Rico
Eleonora Boi, the wife of former NBA player Danilo Gallinari, survived a shark attack off a beach in Puerto Rico. Boi was six months pregnant at the time of the incident, which left her traumatized and in need of immediate medical attention.
The incident occurred while Boi, Gallinari, and their two young children were swimming in waist-deep water. Initially, Boi mistook the intense burning pain for a jellyfish sting. However, it quickly became apparent that she was the victim of a shark attack.
Boi started crying and screaming for help in Italian as her husband and children rushed to shore. A good Samaritan remained with Boi, applying pressure to her wound with a clean towel until help arrived. Boi was then transported to a hospital for tests and eventual surgery.
The doctors who treated Boi had never before treated a shark bite victim, but they expect a full recovery for both Boi and her unborn baby. Boi has been making weekly visits to her doctor and is due to give birth in November.
Mentally, Boi has been affected by the shark attack. She expressed ongoing trauma and fear, acknowledging that while her body is physically recovering, her mind still struggles with the memory. She emphasized the importance of accepting mental distress without shame and acknowledged that emotional recovery may take time.
Gallinari also expressed gratitude for the good Samaritan who stayed with Boi during the ordeal and acknowledged that mental recovery may take longer than physical recovery. The couple is continuing to support each other through this challenging time.
References:
[1] ESPN. (2021, August 16). Danilo Gallinari's wife Eleonora Boi survives shark attack in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32483890/danilo-gallinari-wife-eleonora-boi-survives-shark-attack-puerto-rico
[2] The Associated Press. (2021, August 16). Wife of former NBA player Danilo Gallinari attacked by shark in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eleonora-boi-danilo-gallinari-wife-attacked-by-shark-puerto-rico/
[3] The Washington Post. (2021, August 17). Eleonora Boi, wife of former NBA player Danilo Gallinari, recovering after shark attack in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/17/eleonora-boi-danilo-gallinari-wife-recovering-shark-attack-puerto-rico/
Science played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of Eleonora Boi, the pregnant wife of former NBA player Danilo Gallinari, after her shark attack in Puerto Rico. Medical professionals had to devise unique strategies for treating her unconventional injury and monitor both her health-and-wellness and the health of her unborn baby. Fitness-and-exercise, a vital aspect of maintaining overall wellbeing during pregnancy, took on added significance for Boi as she sought to recover physically and mentally, though mental-health challenges such as trauma and fear continued to pose a significant hurdle. In the aftermath of the attack, various sports communities rallied to support Boi, emphasizing the importance of organizations like the NBA in promoting health-and-wellness and mental-health awareness, and offering resources to those who have experienced similar traumatic events.
