The mother of Maya Gebala, a survivor of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, has revealed that her family is unable to secure housing because they do not qualify for government benefits. In an update on a GoFundMe page, Cia Edmonds detailed the family's ongoing struggle to find a suitable home while Maya continues her recovery at B.C. Children's Hospital.
Housing Challenges Without Government Support
Edmonds explained that the family has been living in precarious conditions, shuttling between the back of a car and a couch in the hospital. She stated, "It has been nearly impossible to acquire housing. We are basically stuck in a holding pattern. We need a place that can accommodate a wheelchair and a hospital bed, as Maya will likely be in a wheelchair for the foreseeable future." The family had initially stayed in a series of Airbnbs, believing that victim services would cover their expenses, as outlined on the government website. However, they later discovered they did not qualify for the benefits typically offered to traumatized families.
Uncertainty Over Relocation to Los Angeles
Last month, Edmonds had accepted an offer from Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White to cover Maya's treatment and accommodation in Los Angeles. However, the family ultimately decided against the move. In the recent update, Edmonds clarified, "We never went to L.A. for anyone who believed we did, it just didn't happen. There was too much uncertainty, and Maya's state was too fragile to risk the travel." She added that they are now exploring neurospecific hospitals worldwide for advanced treatment, stating, "If we find one she may qualify for, we would rather go broke taking any potential avenues available than walk the arduous path of 'wait and see.'"
Maya's Medical Journey
Twelve-year-old Maya has been hospitalized since February 10, when she was shot by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar during a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. The attack claimed six lives at a school and two others in a home. On May 5, Maya underwent her fifth surgery, which Edmonds described as successful. The surgery involved the installation of a prosthetic skull piece, and Edmonds expressed hope that it could be her last. However, she noted that the week leading up to the surgery was difficult, as the area where the missing skull flap was located had swollen, deflated, and swollen again, causing significant distress.
Maya's Current Condition
Edmonds provided a sobering update on Maya's condition, saying, "People ask me, regularly, is Maya okay? I suppose. If okay is the midline on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being dead, 10 being thriving, I suppose okay would suffice." She added that Maya cannot communicate or articulate feelings, but her eyes indicate that she is still present. The family continues to rely on donations from organizations to cover expenses, as government support has not materialized.
Edmonds concluded the update with a plea for understanding and support, emphasizing the family's determination to find a suitable home and explore every possible treatment option for Maya. The GoFundMe page remains active, and the family is grateful for the community's generosity during this challenging time.
