The parents of twelve-year-old Maya Gebala, who was shot in the head and neck during the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, say that their daughter is showing small but steady signs of improvement.
David Gebala, Maya’s father, says in a social-media post that they were even able to watch the TV show “The Thundermans” together.
“It’s been so special to see her enjoying her shows again, a beautiful sense of familiarity and comfort for her,” he said.
The post adds that Maya has shown movement in her extremities, even pushing herself up from the bed.
“We’ve seen her move her right arm and leg ever so slightly on a couple of occasions, and now her left eye is reacting to light,” David Gebala wrote.
Maya’s mother also shared a post, providing more details on the girl’s movements.
“During a session, she spends sitting in a chair to help with pressure and blood flow [..] she hurtles her right arm off the armrest and lets it hang beside her,” Cia Edmonds wrote.The post continues, saying that Maya has wiggled her toes and raised her arm in the last few hours.
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Gebala also says that surgeons at BC Children’s Hospital, where Maya was flown in an air ambulance following the tragedy, have noted improvements in the twelve-year-old’s CT scans, which are now clearer than they were a few days ago.
The clearer a CT image is, the fewer abnormalities, including tumours, infections, or injuries, can be expected in the scanned area of the body.
Even though verbal communication is not yet possible with Maya, her parents say that she can see what is happening around her.
“I see your big open eye. You see me,” Edmonds’ post read.
Gebala expressed hope that the improvement will continue in small steps and said Maya’s improvements show her defiance and determination to recover.
“More than anything, I hope you see how incredible you are,” Edmonds ended her post, adding that they plan to share more updates in the days to come.