Gabby Wright’s life was turned upside down almost a decade ago when she was left paralysed aged just 12.

Wright was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord causing paralysis.

It is understood a common cold she suffered over the previous fortnight caused a viral infection in Wright’s system, which led to the life-changing inflammation.

Although devastated by her 2016 diagnosis, Wright soon turned her attention to umpiring netball matches.

‘Netball is still a sport that I love, I wanted to be able to play it and there wasn’t any opportunity for me to play it in a wheelchair….so mum suggested ‘why don’t you have a go at umpiring?’ she told the New Zealand Herald.

‘You’ve got your own lane, so no one can really stand in your way, it’s perfect.

Gabby Wright’s life was turned upside down almost a decade ago when she was left paralysed aged just 12 (pictured, umpiring a netball game)

In 2016, Wright was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord causing paralysis – she is now training for the LA Paralympics in 2028 as a wheelchair racer

‘I’ll usually go on the opposite side to the bench just so I have that extra room.

‘[I also do this because] when I’m umpiring, I’m focusing so much on the game I don’t want to run anyone over by accident.’

Currently studying a Bachelor of Architecture at Auckland University of Technology, Wright, 20, has shifted her focus to qualifying for the 2028 Paralympic Games in wheelchair racing.

And she is far from a novice on the track.

Wright currently holds the Women’s Open T54 New Zealand record in the 200m, 400m and 800m and wants to medal in Los Angeles.

She also had a message for anyone facing adversity – embrace it. 

‘Going from a really sporty kid to one ending up in a wheelchair, I thought that my dreams in sport would no longer exist,’ she said.

‘However, that was far from the truth.

‘If anything it has made me reach and work harder for that dream to prove to my 12-year-old paralysed self and others that a disability doesn’t limit what’s possible.’