Lais Souza reveals that she was the target of abuse and theft by caregivers

the former gymnast Lais Souza revealed that she suffered sexual abuse from caregivers since she became quadriplegic. In conversation with former BBB Rodrigo Mussi, the medalist at the Pan American Games also stated that she was the victim of theft.

“What I had to learn was how to read the person, see the attitude, ask in a way to catch the jump, but most of the time, it’s impossible. I was abused as a child, aged four. After my accident , that’s when I became vulnerable. There were unexpected abuses. I was lying down, sleeping… Simply without seeing what was happening. I don’t have sensitivity in 100% of my body, and the person takes advantage of that. If I lie on my stomach (downwards) , I don’t know what’s going on and I have a lot of procedures I need to do in this position”, said Laís.

In the interview, the former gymnast stated that she has four caregivers and that there is a high percentage of professionals she has already contacted who are not good. “Out of every 10, four are not legal”, said Mussi about the dialogue she had with Laís’ advisor.

Lais said that her trust in people is quite shaken after these traumas. “My confidence is really shaken. For me to trust someone, I need to live with it. When a caregiver comes in, I explain everything as I want, I leave everything in the right place so that he doesn’t have to take a step there and everything is in my control. Today I ‘trust’ (the current caregivers) but I would even distrust my own family.”

The former gymnast revealed that the cases mostly happened when she was falling asleep and there is no specific profile of abusers. “But most of it was when I was almost asleep. It’s happened to men, women, gay men and gay women. Anyone who has been through this knows that it’s the straight man who has to listen, but also the general population. Our body is ours body and does not have to be invaded.”

Finally, Lais stated that she felt afraid when denouncing the abuses, reinforced that she had not suffered threats, but pointed out thefts and shaking as other events that have marked the last few years. “I simply reported it. Some scared me, I confess. Afraid of someone coming after me and killing me. Just fear (there was no threat). No (there was) only abuse, like petty theft inside my house. A kid already shook me, and I was at Disney with him. He was taking care of me there and he shook me.”

In January 2014, during training to participate in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Lais collided with a tree and suffered a torsion of the cervical spine that left her quadriplegic. From that moment on, the former gymnast began to rely on intensive care. Currently, Lais gives lectures and dedicates herself to plastic art.