Mystery Illness Paralyzes Grossmont Girls Track Coach; Friends, Family Seek Funds

Gabriela Cartwright, a 2006 graduate of Grossmont High School and the girls track coach there, is hospitalized at UCSD Medical Center in La Jolla—fighting an ailment that mystifies her doctors, according to family and friends.

Since Thursday, the first day of a fundraising appeal through GoFundMe.com, people close to the 22-year-old known as Gabby have raised nearly $3,400 amid a goal of $50,000 for her care and follow-up treatment.

Luneta Criswell, Cartwright’s older sister, wrote that her problems began about six weeks ago when Gabby struggled with what seemed to be a respiratory and vocal problem.

“However,” she said, “it has now resulted [in] her whole body and face [going] into paralysis.”

Cartwright is still conscious, her sister posted, “and is able to mumble words back in response, but she can no longer open her eyes or mouth, nor move any other part of her body.”

She has lost feeling within her muscles and most of her skin, but frequently experiences a burning or stinging sensation throughout her body, especially when she tries to move, Criswell said.

“The doctors and neurologists at the UCSD ICU still do not know what is causing all of this,” she said. “The most I know is that it is some sort of rare condition of her body attacking itself.”

Co-workers at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital have come to her aid, and she also has supporters at UCSD, where she is said to be majoring in political science.

Cartwright has limited student health insurance and does not have paid sick leave through her work, said a colleague.

“It has been very hard for Gabby to accept our help, but she continues to be part of our [Perinatal Special Care Unit]/Sharp Mary Birch family,” said Rosana Sheridan, the co-worker. “The medical expenses will be extremely high.”

Ilana Mccauslin, who goes by Lali, told La Mesa Patch: “Gabby and I met in school. We have gotten closer since we graduated in 2006. She’s like a sister to me; Gabby is very close to my family.”

Mccauslin, responding via email, called Cartwright a motivated, positive and inspirational girl who at Grossmont took dance classes and competed in track.

“She is a very smart girl; through high school she took AP [advanced placement] classes. She now attends UCSD and is due to graduate in June and has also applied for an internship with the [possibly state] Supreme Court.”

She was on the Union-Tribune All-Academic Team in 2006 for girls track, carrying a grade-point average of 3.80. Cartwright even helped tutor math during lunch in her Grossmont days, her friend said.

“She was not a troublemaker,” Mccauslin said.  “Many of her teachers really admired her.”

Grossmont High School officials said Cartwright started coaching track in 2007-2008.

“She is the head girls coach and receives the stipend from the district,” said Cindy Proctor, a Grossmont office staffer.

Single with no children, Cartwright worked two jobs, friends said, while attending UCSD full-time and also doing volunteer work.

Sheridan, the hospital co-worker, said Cartwright took part in the Miracle Babies Foundation.
 
“The doctors have been unable to find a diagnosis even after Gabby endured multiple tests including a spinal tap,” Sheridan said. 

 “It appeared to be a respiratory infection, but it did not respond to antibiotic therapy. It further progressed into loss of her voice, shortness of breath and chest pain.”
 
Sheridan said this is Cartwright’s third hospital admission “because it has advanced to the point were Gabby can no longer walk, has difficulty swallowing and had to have a NG tube placed in her throat and [is] currently unable to eat.”
 
Despite lost sensation in her legs, and her inability to use her hands or arms, Cartwright “continues to try to be independent. ... Pictures of her [show her] while awake, yet she cannot open her eyes.”
 
Sheridan added: “It must be a terrifying experience to be a young woman and losing so much control of your life and body. She continues to want visitors, so don't be shy … visit her!”
 
On the fundraising site, Sheridan noted: “When something like this happens out of the blue, one’s life tends to come to a complete standstill. When she goes home, we hope to help her heal and pick up where she left off without a mountain of debt and her whole life still ahead of her. 

“We’re all rooting for her to get well soon.”