A survivor of the Tumbler Ridge shooting incident has made significant progress in her recovery. Maya Gebala, a 12-year-old girl, was able to leave B.C. Children's Hospital for a day trip with her parents on Saturday.
Day Out in Vancouver
Maya visited the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, a botanical garden atop the city's highest point. The conservatory features tropical birds, koi fish, and over 500 exotic plants in a temperature-controlled environment.
Maya's father, David Gebala, shared the encouraging news on Facebook: "This is the farthest we've been from the hospital with Maya in quite some time. It feels really good to step away, even if it's just for a little while."
Her mother, Cia Edmonds, also posted a video, calling it an uplifting moment for the family. "Now that we can leave hospital grounds, she gets to experience life again," Edmonds said.
Road to Recovery
Maya has been undergoing treatment since she was shot by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar during a killing spree in February. The shooter killed eight people, including six at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two relatives.
David shared photos of Maya in her wheelchair, smiling on a sunny day. "Look who gets to leave the hospital grounds! Many more walks to come with this amazing weather," he wrote.
The day after the outing, David posted: "Mornings are my favorite with Maya. She's wide awake, bright-eyed, and so wonderfully responsive. I'm still in awe of how much she's improved over the past few months, especially just this week alone. I love you so much, my sweet baby girl."
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the positive updates, Maya still faces health challenges. Doctors diagnosed a left cranial nerve palsy affecting the third cranial nerve, which controls eye movement. David explained: "This nerve helps control the eye's ability to move inward and upward. Because all the nerves work together, they don't believe this will be completely debilitating; it may just make the eye a little 'lazier' than the other."
Doctors are optimistic that Maya can see out of her left eye, as there is communication between both eyes. David expressed pride in her determination: "I'm so incredibly proud of the strides you've made. Being with you every single day, I sometimes lose sight of just how far you've truly come. To think about everything we've been through the unthinkable and to see where we are today... I still can't believe it."
Donations for Maya's care continue. As of Tuesday afternoon, $577,970 had been raised toward a $650,000 goal.
