Paralyzed West Haven Woman, 22, Set For More Surgery

WEST HAVEN, CT — Gabriella Murillo, the 22-year-old West Haven resident who was paralyzed from the waist down in a crash with a negligent driver in Florida, is scheduled for another surgery on Tuesday, according to FOX61. Murillo was living out her dream of becoming a “cast member” with an internship at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, at the time of the crash. Murillo had been in Florida for only a month before her life was forever changed on June 15 when she and her friend were at a complete stop when they were rear-ended by a drunk driver, according to family members.

The crash left Murillo with a spinal cord C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae injury along with her nerves being completely severed, Jennifer Murillo – Gabriella's sister, wrote on a GoFundMe page. Gabriella is paralyzed from the neck down, Jennifer Murillo said.

"Gabby's strength and determination has allowed her to successfully undergo two major surgeries," Jennifer Murillo wrote on the GoFundMe page that was launched June 18 to help the family with medical expenses.

Family members told FOX61 that Gabby has another surgery scheduled for Tuesday and that doctors are trying to get her to the point where she can fully breathe on her own.

The response to the GoFundMe campaign from the West Haven community and beyond has been overwhelming. More than $88,000 has been raised by 1,790 people in the five days of the campaign (as of 6 p.m. on Monday).

A customized van for Gabby will cost at least $50,000, Jennifer Murillo told FOX61.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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