Teen gymnast paralyzed after accident makes remarkable recovery

By Lauren Beavis via SWNS

A teenage athlete left paralyzed after a gymnastics attack has made a "remarkable" recovery.

Paulina Gores, 15, was visiting Somerset for a trampoline gymnastics camp when she attempted a double forward somersault and landed on her head.

The gymnast from Germany fractured and dislocated her cervical spine, was unable to move her limbs at all - and had to be flown by air ambulance to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

A team of pediatric neurosurgeons performed an emergency reduction on Paulina’s spinal dislocation followed by surgery to secure the damaged vertebrae in position using titanium plates, screws, and a cage prosthesis.

The surgery was successful, but it was not known how much function Paulina would be able to recover.

Many people with a similar injury (a fracture dislocation between the C5 and C6 vertebrae) are often left with permanent damage and lifelong disability.

However, Paulina started to get some sensation in her left arm the following day - and mere days later she regained feeling and movement in her left leg.

Following a week and a half of treatment in Bristol, Paulina had regained some feeling and movement on both sides of her body - and returned to Germany to recover in rehabilitation centers.

Paulina said: “I am grateful for all the support I have received in Bristol and in Germany.

"I can lead a normal life.

"I was able to take steps, walk up and down stairs and even run a little bit while in the rehab center."

Six months after the accident, Paulina returned to running - completed a 10km and has plans to run a half-marathon.

Paulina said: "I had set myself the goal of running a half marathon last year, as I have always been a runner, and that is still a goal for me despite everything I’ve been through.”

Pediatric Neurosurgeon Mike Carter, who performed that very first operation at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, expressed his delight at Pauline's progress.

He added: "Paulina has come on leaps and bounds, quite literally.

"She has kept us up to date with her progress via email and has sent us videos of her remarkable rehabilitation.

“Paulina’s case shows just how important it is that all parts of a trauma service work well together.

"In this case she was stabilized, transferred, imaged, and operated on all within a matter of hours from the injury.

“Also, it shows the importance of getting underway with your rehabilitation as soon as possible.

"Paulina’s calm attitude and stoicism, even when she was first brought to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, has been so impressive.

"She’s pretty tough.”

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