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High School Girl, 16, Suffered Sudden Spinal Injury During Wrestling Match: āI Realized I Couldnāt Move My Armsā
TL;DR
A 16-year-old high school girl, Adriana Maria, became paralyzed during a wrestling match in New Jersey after a sudden spinal injury. Initially told she might never walk again, she is now showing signs of defying the odds.
Adriana Maria
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- High schooler Adriana Maria was paralyzed after a wrestling injury ā and she was initially told she might never walk again
- The 16-year-old girl said the injury occurred while she was pinned during a match at her high school in New Jersey
- āI realized I couldnāt move my arms,ā Adriana recalled
A New Jersey teen was paralyzed during a sudden wrestling injury ā but now she's defying the odds.
Adriana Maria, 16, was competing in a wrestling match at Matawanās Old Bridge High School in January when a move left her paralyzed.
āI got taken down and I tried to get out of the pin, and I immediately felt pain in my neck and I couldnāt feel anything. I tried to call injury time and I realized I couldnāt move my arms,ā Adriana recalled while speaking to News 12 New Jersey.
Adriana was taken to the hospital, where doctors told her mother she would likely never walk again. āThe surgeons told my mom that after my surgeries, I probably would only be able to move my arms,ā the teen said.
However, AdrianaĀ ā who typically a person who ādoesnāt sit stillā āĀ said she refused to give up hope that she would make a full recovery.
A hallway at a hospital (stock image)
Credit: getty
āI told them Iām going to walk out of here,ā she told the outlet.
āIām going to wrestle again, Iād tell all my nurses ā no matter what part of the rehab it was, whether it was when I couldnāt get out of bed that much or when I was up to the end when I was walking, trying to run down the halls,ā Adriana said.
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Now, the teen is able to move her legs and support herself with a walker.
Jane Maline, an athletic trainer at Old Bridge High School, said she was āshockedā by Adrianaās recovery and progress.
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āWhen I walked in and saw her standing on her own two feet and she held my hand and we walked forward and backward ā¦ I couldnāt believe it,ā Jane said while speaking to News 12.
Adrianaās community also stepped in to help support her and her family throughout her recovery, with family friend Yesenia Baez establishing a GoFundMe.
āAdriana is a vibrant, athletic, and high-energy 16-year-old who pours her heart into everything she does,ā Yesenia wrote on the fundraising page.
āAdriana is not only strong physically, but also smart, loving, and deeply caring ā a bright light to everyone who knows her,ā Yesenia continued.
Yesenia added that Adriana was raised by her single mother, adding that, āThis sudden tragedy has placed an overwhelming emotional and financial burden on them both.ā
Donations raised by the fundraiser are intended to āhelp ease the stress of medical expenses, recovery costs, and daily needs during this incredibly difficult time,ā Yesenia said.
Read the original article on People
Q&A
What caused Adriana Maria's spinal injury during the wrestling match?
Adriana Maria's spinal injury occurred when she was pinned during a wrestling match.
How old is Adriana Maria and where is she from?
Adriana Maria is 16 years old and is from New Jersey.
What were the initial medical predictions regarding Adriana's ability to walk?
Adriana was initially told that she might never walk again due to her injury.
What progress has Adriana Maria made since her injury?
Adriana Maria is now showing signs of defying the odds after her paralysis.
