At just 12 years old, Maya Gebala went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School expecting an ordinary school day. On February 10, 2026, she was seriously injured during the attack at the school and airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver in extremely critical condition.

The weeks that followed were filled with uncertainty. Maya underwent multiple complex surgeries and experienced serious complications during her recovery. Yet, little by little, her family began seeing signs of progress — from small movements and changes in her responsiveness to eventually having her breathing tube removed.

By June, Maya had made what her family described as “incredible strides.” She had begun communicating using a tablet, with her family creating a simple yes/no system and using an iPad app designed for non-verbal communication. She was also able to leave the hospital grounds, giving her the chance to experience life outside the hospital again.

Her recovery has been a long process, but every new ability has represented another step forward. From the earliest tiny signs of responsiveness to learning new ways to communicate, Maya’s progress has given her family and supporters renewed hope for the future.

Her journey is far from over — but after everything she has endured, Maya continues to show remarkable strength and determination. 🌱

SOURCES:
CityNews — Maya’s recovery and communication progress