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Seven years after surviving the deadliest plane crash in Cuba in recent decades, Mailén Díaz Almaguer embarks on a new chapter in her life: studying for a Bachelor's degree in Theology at the Methodist Seminary in Havana.
The young woman, the sole survivor of a plane crash in May 2018, shared on Facebook her enthusiasm for this academic phase, which she describes as a gift from God.
"It has been a great privilege to begin the Bachelor’s degree in Theology. To God be the glory! There were days of effort, set apart to learn more about God. I am grateful to Him for all the people who made this possible. This is just the beginning," she wrote.
Mailén also recalled a message that influenced her decision: the words of a bishop during a service, who told her that even if she did not have a ministry or pastoral calling, she had something equally valuable: a dream.
A path of faith following the tragedy
On May 18, 2018, the plane she was traveling on with her husband to Holguín crashed minutes after taking off from Havana. Of the 113 occupants, only she managed to survive.
She spent months in the hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries, lost the lower part of one leg, and became paralyzed from the waist down. Since then, she has been going through a process of physical and spiritual recovery that she calls "a miracle from God."
After the accident, Mailén turned to the Christian faith and today is a part of a Methodist community in the capital.
His decision to study Theology solidifies that transformation, after years of rehabilitation and the struggle to adapt to his new life.
Between Psychology and Theology
Before the accident that changed her life, Mailén was training to be a nurse, a course of study she had to interrupt.
In 2021, it was revealed that she had begun her studies in Psychology at university, inspired by the work of the professionals who assisted her during her recovery.
In 2022, she clarified that she did not receive any special privilege to enroll, but rather did so on her own merit after completing pre-university studies. "I was not given any career. What I am studying is Psychology through a part-time program, which I can study by attending the faculty and enrolling," she said at that time.
As time passed, and amidst her physical limitations, she found in faith a more powerful drive. Now she begins her training as a theologian, convinced that she can turn her story into a testament of hope.
Life after the accident
The process for Mailén has been fraught with obstacles and has reported the lack of medications and basic supplies for her treatment.
He explained that he needed to urinate using catheters several times a day and that he couldn't obtain gloves or lubricants, nor even the antibiotic Nitrofurantoin that he requires to prevent urinary infections.
"I am not living the sweet life, I also struggle like everyone else
He was also emphatic: "I don't have to thank Cuban healthcare, but rather those who have contributed their part to ensure my well-being."
Following his public denunciation, he received support from Cubans both on and off the Island, including the comedian Andy Vázquez, who organized the shipment of medical supplies from Miami.
A story that inspires
In July of this year, Mailén shared in an emotional interview how she copes with pain, disability, and the absence of her husband. She mentioned that she barely remembers fragments of the airport that day and that it was in the hospital when she learned that he had died.
Since then, he has had to reinvent himself: he learned to drive, is undergoing rehabilitation at CIREN, and lives in the Siboney neighborhood in Havana, where he purchased a home with the compensation received from the accident.
In 2021, she managed to board a plane again, breaking the fear that had been with her since the tragedy. She documented it in a video, showing the view from above as a symbol of personal triumph.
Symbol of resilience
Today, as she announces her enrollment in the Methodist Seminary, Mailén expresses gratitude and determination. She affirms that her goal is to deepen her faith, which helped her rise after losing everything.
His journey from psychology student to seminarian reflects a life in constant reconstruction, marked by adversity, but also by hope.
Beyond the academic realm, their testimony remains a reminder of the failures of the healthcare system and institutional neglect, but also of the strength of will and the power of faith.
From tragedy to faith, the story of Mailén Díaz Almaguer not only recounts the survival of an airplane crash but also the struggle of a woman to find a deeper meaning in her life, now rooted in spirituality and the desire to serve others.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mailén Díaz and Her Resilience Process
Who is Mailén Díaz and why is she known in Cuba?
Mailén Díaz Almaguer is known for being the only survivor of the tragic plane crash that occurred in Havana in 2018, where 112 people lost their lives. Since then, her story of recovery and faith has touched many, becoming a symbol of resilience and personal triumph in Cuba.
What has the recovery process been like for Mailén Díaz after the plane crash?
After the accident, Mailén Díaz faced multiple surgeries and a long rehabilitation process due to the severe injuries she sustained, including the amputation of part of her left leg and paralysis in both legs. Her recovery process has also been spiritual, finding in Christian faith a driving force to overcome adversity. She is currently studying Theology at the Methodist Seminary in Havana, solidifying her personal transformation.
Has Mailén Díaz received support from the Cuban government after the accident?
Mailén Díaz has publicly denounced the lack of support from the Cuban government in her recovery process, highlighting the scarcity of medical supplies necessary for her treatment. She has received more support from Cubans both inside and outside the island, who have contributed with supplies and financial assistance.
What inspired Mailén Díaz to study Theology?
Mailén Díaz found in Christian faith a fundamental pillar for her recovery and personal transformation after the accident. Inspired by her experience and the desire to serve others, she decided to study Theology to deepen her faith and turn her story into a testimony of hope.
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