Hi my name is Heidi.

I am writing this as a local mother living in Watford and someone who knows Wanessa and Luiz and their daughters, who are a loving Brazilian family and whose youngest baby daughter has suffered a serious accident during their visit to the UK, and they have been facing an extremely difficult situation since.

Wanessa and her husband Luiz arrived in London from Brazil in November 2025 with their two daughters, Isabela (5) and Emanuelly (1).

What was meant to be a temporary visit has become a medical and personal crisis following a tragic accident involving their baby daughter.

On 3 February 2026, while being cared for by a babysitter, Emanuelly choked on a strawberry. Despite immediate attempts to help her, the obstruction could not be cleared. A passing doctor intervened and rushed her to Watford General Hospital, where doctors fought to save her life.

Emanuelly suffered a cardiac arrest and required resuscitation. Her brain was without oxygen for approximately 30 minutes, resulting in severe brain injury. She was intubated and found to have significant brain swelling, before being transferred to St Mary’s Hospital in London. She spent seven days in an induced coma and also experienced high fevers and seizures.

As a result of her injury, Emanuelly now has profound neurological issues. She is unable to walk, speak, or see and is fed through a tube.

Doctors have advised that she urgently needs specialist neuro‑rehabilitation treatment to give her any chance of improvement.

At present, Wanessa and Luiz are facing serious barriers to accessing this care. They came to the UK on a tourist visa and do not have valid medical insurance, which means their daughter is not receiving the neuro‑rehabilitation treatment she urgently needs.

The Brazilian consulate has so far been unable to assist and the family feel as if their daughter has been left in the middle of all this waiting for appropriate treatment.

The family has been advised that if they can obtain a medical letter confirming that Emanuelly is not fit to travel on a standard commercial flight, they may be able to apply for a visa extension so she can remain in the UK and receive treatment. However, the hospital has not done this, leaving the family feeling completely lost and without clear options.

To add to this, returning to Brazil would be extremely difficult. The specialist treatment Emanuelly needs is not easily accessible where the family lives, and the length of a normal flight would be unsafe for her current condition. An air ambulance would be required, but the cost is far beyond anything the family could afford.

In addition to these challenges, Wanessa and Luiz do not speak fluent English, which has made communication with services and officials incredibly difficult.

The funds raised through this page will help support Emanuelly’s ongoing care and give her family options during this critical time. Donations will help cover specialist therapy and rehabilitation, medical equipment and supplies, transport to appointments, basic living expenses, and any legal or professional support needed to explore visas or treatment options. The goal is to give Emanuelly the best possible chance of recovery while allowing her parents to support themselves and Isabela appropriately during this difficult period.

We are also asking for help beyond donations. If anyone can offer guidance or connections to doctors, lawyers, charities, journalists, or media organisations, or help share Emanuelly’s story more widely, it would be deeply appreciated.

Any support you are able to give — whether by donating, sharing this page, or offering practical help — will make a meaningful difference.

Wanessa and Luiz are profoundly grateful for every message, donation, and act of kindness during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for taking the time to read their story and for any support you are able to offer.