🌟 A GLIMMER OF HOPE IS HERE! 🌟 Doctors once prepared this family for the hardest goodbye… but today they’re saying: THANK GOD, SHE’S PROGRESSING! 😭🙏

Sweet 12-year-old Maya Gebala has been fighting so hard in the hospital after the heartbreaking events at her school in Tumbler Ridge. Airlifted far from home to BC Children’s Hospital, she faced incredibly tough days… yet her brave little body is showing tiny signs of strength: small breaths on her own, gentle eye movements, swelling starting to ease.

Her family is overwhelmed with gratitude and sharing: “She’s improving a little each day.” From the edge of despair to these precious steps forward—this hockey-loving girl is proving just how strong she truly is.

Is this the miracle we’ve all been praying for? The journey is still long, but hope is alive! 💙

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Amid the grief still gripping this small northern community following the February 10, 2026, tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, the family of 12-year-old Maya Gebala is sharing messages of cautious optimism as the young girl continues her recovery at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Maya, a Grade 7 student known for her love of hockey and her outgoing personality, was among those seriously injured during the incident that claimed eight lives, including five children, one teacher, and two family members of the suspect before the suspect took her own life. The event has left the remote town of roughly 2,000 residents reeling, with vigils, fundraisers, and an outpouring of national support marking the days since.

In recent updates shared through family members and media interviews, Maya’s relatives have highlighted incremental improvements in her condition. Cousin Krysta Hunt told reporters that Maya is “progressing a little bit each day,” noting small but meaningful developments such as “little tiny breath initiations on her own” and “little eye flickers.” These signs have provided a measure of relief after an initial period when doctors prepared the family for the possibility of the worst outcome.

Hunt explained that Maya had been in extreme critical condition following emergency surgery, with discussions around difficult decisions like organ donation. However, the positive changes were significant enough to shift her care from end-of-life considerations to continued intensive monitoring. “We know that there is some healing happening,” Hunt said, underscoring the family’s gratitude for each small step.

Maya’s mother, Cia Edmonds, posted on social media about the reduction in swelling and her determination to focus on the progress she sees. “The swelling is going down,” she wrote, while acknowledging the long road ahead: “Still a long road for my Maya moon.” Edmonds described rejecting repeated dire prognoses from medical staff, choosing instead to celebrate the visible changes in her daughter. She and Maya’s father, David Gebala, have remained by her bedside, drawing strength from community messages and well-wishes.

The family has emphasized Maya’s resilience and spirit throughout the ordeal. Described as a “funky and vivacious” girl who played for the Tumbler Ridge Raptors under-13 hockey team, Maya brought energy and joy to those around her. Photos shared by loved ones show her smiling in sports gear, a reminder of the active life she led before the incident. Her parents have spoken publicly about their faith in her strength, with one interview highlighting how she continues to “fight” despite the challenges.

Medical professionals have cautioned that recovery from severe injuries in such cases remains unpredictable and lengthy. Issues like brain swelling, respiratory support needs, and potential long-term effects require ongoing care. While the recent signs are viewed as encouraging, full rehabilitation—if possible—could span months or years. Maya still requires assistance with breathing and remains in critical but stabilizing condition in the intensive care unit.

The broader context of the tragedy has drawn widespread attention. The incident unfolded on what began as a routine school day in the isolated mountain community. Survivors, including other students and staff, have recounted the chaos and fear, with many expressing profound gratitude for the quick actions of teachers and peers. Maya’s family has highlighted her courageous efforts to help protect classmates, though they have asked the public to focus on healing rather than specifics of the event.

A GoFundMe campaign set up by relatives has raised funds to support travel, lodging, and other expenses so Maya’s mother can stay by her side in Vancouver. The page describes the unknown timeline for recovery and the family’s commitment to supporting her every step. Donations and messages of encouragement have poured in from across Canada and beyond, reflecting a national wave of solidarity.

Community response in Tumbler Ridge and surrounding areas has included memorials, candlelight vigils, and support groups. Parents of other affected children have shared similar stories of heartbreak mixed with hope, while leaders have called for unity in the face of loss. Maya’s parents have expressed compassion for all families impacted, including those connected to the suspect, urging Canadians to rally around the victims and the town.

As of mid-February 2026, updates indicate steady, if slow, forward movement for Maya. Her family’s posts blend realism with faith, refusing to dwell solely on setbacks while celebrating each milestone—no matter how small. “She’s so strong,” one relative noted, echoing the sentiment that has resonated widely.

The story of Maya Gebala has become a focal point for many following the tragedy—a symbol of endurance amid unimaginable hardship. In a community forever changed and a nation watching closely, every reported breath, flicker, or reduction in swelling carries weight. Whether these early gains lead to fuller recovery remains uncertain, but the outpouring of prayers, support, and shared hope underscores a collective belief in the possibility of brighter days.

For now, the Gebala family clings to those glimmers, grateful for each day their daughter continues to show fight. As her mother put it, the road is long, but progress, however modest, is real—and that alone offers reason to keep believing.