A 16-year-old girl was recently paralyzed during a wrestling match at Old Bridge High School in New Jersey.
According to NJ.com, Old Bridge athletic trainer Jane Maline watched as Adriana Maria didn’t get up after she was pinned during a Saturday bout.
Maline, who said she watched the accident happen, rushed to Maria when she remained on the mat. The girl reported that she couldn't move her arms or legs. Maline, who has two decades of experiences, helped Maria onto a spinal board and waited for paramedics to arrive.
“I am a mother myself,” Maline told NJ.com. “I saw (Maria) as possibly one of my own daughters. We’ve had conversations, and she’s been in my office for non-injury reasons, so it was upsetting for me to see her in this situation.”
On Monday night, Old Bridge wrestling coach John Post confirmed in an announcement on Facebook that Maria sustained a severe spinal cord injury and was unable to move. A medical evaluation revealed Maria’s spinal cord was displaced along the C4, C5 and C6 levels, compressing the nerves and resulting in loss of movement. The permanence of her injury is so far unclear.
Post said the injury was anomalous and there was nothing malicious about the move the opposing wrestler used.
Maria underwent surgery over the weekend and has regained movement in her hands, but she still is unable to move her legs. A second surgery was planned to stabilize her neck.
Post said most of the girls in his program, like Maria, are first-year wrestlers.
A GoFundMe originally set a goal for $50,000 but has now reached over $100,000 in donations.
