A 12-YEAR-OLD HERO’S HEARTBREAKING COURAGE… 😢💔 In the middle of pure terror at her school library, little Maya Gebala didn’t run and hide first—she dashed straight to the door, hands shaking, desperately trying to lock it and shield her classmates from the unthinkable.

Her parents’ tearful words about that split-second bravery will hit you hard… and the one tiny detail they shared about what happened right after will leave your heart in pieces, praying non-stop for this sweet girl to pull through.

Now fighting every day in a Vancouver hospital, she’s showing small signs of hope: breathing a little on her own, eyes moving, swelling down. But the battle is far from over.

Full story:

In the quiet aftermath of the February 10, 2026, tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, the parents of 12-year-old Maya Gebala have opened up about the moment their daughter showed extraordinary courage—and the agonizing days that have followed as she battles back from severe injuries at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Maya, a Grade 7 student and member of the local Tumbler Ridge Raptors under-13 hockey team, was among those caught in the chaos that claimed eight lives, including five young students and one educator. The incident has left the small northern community devastated, with residents and Canadians nationwide rallying in support of the victims and their families.

According to accounts shared by Maya’s aunt, Krysta Hunt, and echoed by her parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, the 12-year-old instinctively moved to protect her classmates when danger approached the school’s library. As screams and chaos erupted, Maya and others attempted to secure the library door. The lock, however, was not functioning properly.

“Maya spent an extra few seconds trying to lock the door,” Hunt told media outlets, describing how the girl persisted even as a classmate sought cover. When the effort failed, Maya ran to hide under a table for safety. It was during this desperate sequence that she sustained life-threatening injuries.

Her parents have spoken publicly about the heartbreak of learning what happened. In interviews, including one with CBC, Edmonds and Gebala recounted rushing to the scene and the overwhelming fear upon realizing their daughter was among the gravely wounded. Maya was airlifted to Vancouver, where she underwent emergency surgery to address complications from her injuries, including efforts to manage brain swelling and other critical issues.

For several days, doctors prepared the family for the possibility of the gravest outcome. Discussions reportedly included difficult topics such as end-of-life care and organ donation. Yet, recent updates from the family and relatives have brought tentative rays of hope.

Hunt shared that Maya is “progressing a little bit each day,” citing small but significant signs: “little tiny breath initiations on her own” and “little eye flickers.” These developments prompted a shift in her care from potential end-of-life protocols to continued intensive monitoring. Edmonds posted updates noting reduced swelling and her daughter’s determination, referring to her affectionately as “my Maya moon” while acknowledging, “Still a long road.”

In one emotional recounting, Edmonds described moments at the bedside where she witnessed subtle movements—a hand twitch, a cough attempt—that filled her with conviction. “I can feel it in my heart that she’s coming back,” she said in a CBC interview, emphasizing her belief in Maya’s resilience despite the medical challenges.

Maya’s background adds depth to the story of her bravery. Known as outgoing and energetic, she thrived on the hockey rink, bringing joy to teammates and family. Photos circulated by loved ones show her smiling in team gear, a vivid contrast to the hospital reality. Her parents have highlighted this spirit, noting how it fuels their hope amid uncertainty.

Medical experts explain that such injuries involve complex recovery processes, with brain swelling, respiratory needs, and potential long-term effects requiring vigilant care. While early signs like independent breathing attempts and reduced swelling are encouraging, full progress remains unpredictable and could take extensive time—if achievable.

The family’s ordeal has extended beyond the medical. Staying by Maya’s side in Vancouver means significant travel and lodging expenses for a family from a remote town. A GoFundMe campaign launched by relatives has helped cover these costs, allowing Edmonds to remain at the hospital. The page details the unknown recovery timeline and the family’s gratitude for community support.

Maya’s parents have also expressed a broader compassion. In interviews, they voiced sympathy for other affected families, including those connected to the suspect, while urging the public to focus on healing and avoid politicizing the tragedy. “All we want from Canadians is just Maya’s prayers,” Edmonds said, highlighting the unity they have felt from messages pouring in nationwide.

The Tumbler Ridge community continues to grieve collectively. Vigils have honored the lives lost, and support networks have formed for survivors and families. Stories of other acts of bravery during the incident—teachers barricading classrooms, students helping one another—have emerged, underscoring the resilience in the face of horror.

For Maya Gebala, the narrative centers on that pivotal moment in the library: a child’s instinct to protect others, even at great personal risk. Her parents’ retelling of the events carries raw emotion—the trembling hands on the door, the split-second decisions, the terror that followed. Yet it is balanced by their faith in her strength and the small victories reported each day.

As of mid-February 2026, Maya remains in critical but improving condition. Updates blend caution with optimism: no dramatic leaps, but steady, incremental steps forward. Her family clings to these, refusing to let despair overshadow hope.

In a tragedy that has shaken a nation, Maya’s story stands out as one of quiet heroism and enduring fight. Her parents’ words—heart-wrenching yet resolute—remind us of the profound impact one young life can have. Prayers continue across Canada and beyond, with many holding onto the belief that the same courage that drove her to the door will guide her through recovery.

The road ahead is undoubtedly long, filled with unknowns. But for now, every flicker of response, every small breath, offers reason to believe in miracles—and in the unbreakable spirit of a 12-year-old girl who, in her final act before the unimaginable, chose others first.