Maya Gebala, the 12-year-old survivor of the Tumbler Ridge massacre, underwent “emergency surgery” on Saturday.
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In an update to the GoFundMe, Krysta Hunt, cousin of Maya’s mother Cia, said intervention was needed “due to severe fluid build up on the brain caused by Hydrocephalus” — when cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the brain’s ventricles, leading to increased pressure within the skull.
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“This update show just how critical Maya is with her injury,” Hunt said. “Please keep her in your thoughts. I believe it’s helped her this far.”
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In an update early Sunday morning, Maya’s father David said the surgery was a success.
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“Our brave little warrior has come through her emergency surgery,” he wrote on Facebook. “After what felt like the longest hour of our lives, the surgeon came to tell us it was successful. They’ve placed a drain on her right side, and she’s holding on strong just another hurdle she’s facing with so much strength.”
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The shooting in the quiet community of Tumbler Ridge in B.C. was one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history, killing five students and a teacher. Shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar’s mother, 39, and half-brother, 11, were shot at home and were the shooter’s first two victims.
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Family shares video of Maya opening her right eye, showing signs of movement
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The news of Maya’s emergency surgery came shortly after Hunt wrote that the 12-year-old showed a major sign of progress.
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“Such exciting news,” wrote Hunt, in an update on Saturday. “Maya opened her right eye and is responding. She is moving her hand and leg on her right side.”
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Krysta concluded the update by thanking everyone who prayed for Maya’s recovery and donated. The fundraising campaign with a goal to raise $250,000 had, at the time of publishing, raised over $459,956.
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Krysta joins Maya’s father, who, on Wednesday, acknowledged her tremendous progress, “We were told we only had hours and yet here you are, still fighting, still with us,” Maya’s father, David, wrote in an update on GoFundMe. “You continue to defy every expectation the doctors and surgeons once prepared us for.”
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Maya was admitted to the intensive care unit at B.C. Children’s hospital in Vancouver after she was shot trying to protect her classmates from the shooter who opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
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Maya was reportedly in the library when she was shot. One shot grazed her cheek and ear, other shots hit her head and neck. The 12-year-old suffered significant damage to her brain from where the bullet exited.
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Maya Gebala and her younger sister Dahlia (right) pictured in this photo shared by their mom Cia on Facebook. Photo by Cia Edmonds/Facebook
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“You went from not being able to move at all, to moving more and more each day,” her father wrote on Wednesday. “And now, the nurses have adjusted your ventilator to pressure support because you’re taking your own breaths. What an amazing milestone,” he added.
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Maya’s mom Cia on Facebook shared how she is not only proud of the progress Maya has made but also the strength Maya’s younger sister Dahlia has shown.
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“She saw Maya her second day, and couldn’t face her again,” the mom wrote on Saturday. “Today, she was so brave. So so brave. She came in too see her, talk to her, and hold her hand… I am so proud of my big fighter, but also for my little warrior. Who’s suffers from the same nightmare, but is overshadowed by the potential loss of her big sister, her rock.”
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Celebration of life postponed for Tumbler Ridge victim, Kylie May Smith after threats
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Celebration of life for Kylie Smith, 12, was called off after her family said they received threats from “a very dangerous person.” A family member of Kylie said threats were made by someone they know.
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RCMP is investigating the incident. The celebration of life was scheduled to take place on Saturday.
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“The funeral tomorrow had been closed to the public at large, but has been cancelled, due to legitimate potential threats,” local newspaper Tumbler RidgeLines posted on Facebook. “We cannot risk any further endangerment to this community.”
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Tumbler Ridge mass shooting victim Kylie Smith, 12. Photo by Shanon Dycke/GoFundMe
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