Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — A wave of hope is spreading through the small northeastern British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge after 12-year-old Maya Gebala opened her eyes for the first time since being critically injured in the recent school attack.
Maya has been receiving specialized medical care in a Vancouver hospital since the tragic incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. In an emotional update shared on Facebook, her mother, Cia, described a powerful and encouraging moment in her daughter’s recovery.
“Her eyes opened, she’s responding and moving around, and she’s moving her hand,” she wrote.
The update marks a significant milestone for Maya and her family, who have been facing unimaginable uncertainty since the attack. Doctors continue to monitor her condition closely, and while her long-term recovery remains ongoing, these early signs of responsiveness are being seen as a hopeful step forward.
Maya was one of the two seriously injured victims airlifted from Tumbler Ridge for specialized treatment. The tragedy claimed the lives of five students and one educator, leaving the tight-knit community grieving and deeply shaken.
In the days following the attack, residents have gathered for vigils, offered prayers, and organized fundraising efforts to support the affected families. Messages of support for Maya and her loved ones continue to pour in from across British Columbia and beyond.
Medical experts note that recovery from traumatic injuries can be a long and complex journey. However, even small improvements — such as opening her eyes and moving her hand — are meaningful signs in critical care recovery.
For Maya’s family and the community of Tumbler Ridge, this moment represents renewed hope during an incredibly difficult time.
The road ahead remains challenging, but this update has given many something to hold onto: the possibility of healing.
