David Gebala

@AdamSandler I heard you were in Vancouver, it would be super cool of you to come visit Maya! One of her favorite movies is Happy Gilmore! We're at the BC Children's hospital, DM me

@wick_22 Thank you for stopping by! It was nice to see you again

@DavidGebala It was so nice to see you all again David. Your strength is so admirable. Dad strength. That can't be beat! Maya is a fighter and while the journey isn't linear, she's finding ways every day to make progress. All of Canada is with Maya. Keep fighting hard Maya. We love you.

I’m sure everyone knows by now just how much Maya loves hockey. Back in 2024, the Tumbler Ridge Raptors girls team put together on short notice, I might add! had the chance to attend Wickfest in Calgary. It was an incredible weekend filled with activities, skill development, and of course, a hockey tournament, where they proudly brought home silver medals in their division. It’s a weekend we’ll never forget! full of excitement, laughter, heart, and hustle. For those unfamiliar, Wickfest is a world-renowned hockey festival for young female athletes, founded by Hayley Wickenheiser, who represented Canada at the Winter Olympics five times, earning four gold medals and one silver. Maya and her team, along with so many other kids (and parents), had the opportunity to meet her while she was actively involved throughout the event. The reason I’m sharing all of this is because I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Hayley for taking the time to come visit Maya, check in on her, and leave such a beautiful gift. We spent over an hour talking where she shared kind words, stories, and saw firsthand just how strong Maya is. She could feel that same fighting spirit in her, just like everyone who has been supporting us along this journey. Thank you ❤️ @wick_22 And on another note—Maya had her first shower today! She’s officially squeaky clean… hopefully no more bed baths ❤️

Back in 2022 when Maya got the opportunity to do some skills training with @cmcdavid97 her favorite hockey player! I just remember her being shy thinking it was going to be one on one and that he could see her

My beautiful Maya's life of sports ❤️

@lifewitsonduren The update was from me, her dad who is also at bedside every single day.

I believe in miracles ❤️🙏

Maya Gebala is OUT of the ICU and was able to sit up in her bed for the first time!

Yesterday was a big day for us. We transitioned out of the ICU into a more recovery and rehab-focused unit, and it’s now been 26 hours since Maya’s EVD was removed for the second time. So far, everything is looking positive. She doesn’t seem to be in as much pain, and we’re starting to see a little more energy and color come back. She’s still not a fan of the boot for the pressure sore on her heel doing her best to kick it off whenever she can but her movements are becoming much more intentional. Our time in the PICU, for lack of a better word, has been a whirlwind filled with both highs and lows for Maya, but slowly we're making some more progress. And then came a moment today that completely overwhelmed me. OT and Physio came in, and with their help, Maya was able to sit up on the edge of the bed. This was huge for two reasons. First, she was using her own muscles to help support herself (with assistance), and second… I was finally able to wrap my arms around my daughter. Really wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. I can’t even begin to put into words what that hug felt like. All I wanted in that moment was to lift her up, hold her close, and never let go. We’re getting there, my little Maya Bear 🐻 I love you so much ❤️

As Maya's dad this offer has been on the table for quite some time. Im not going to get into too many details but I have been speaking with Dana off and on for an extended period of time I'd like to say since February 16th. We have been waiting for the right moment to transfer for quite some time now but it has all been lingering on Maya's stability. We have had the privilege to be connected with some of the best doctors because of Dana and they have been working together with us in the background for weeks. As a parent it's our jobs to give our kids the best possible outcome, we still don't know which version of Maya were going to get but we're hopeful that we will get the best version of her possible with this transfer. I don't believe that Dana reached out to us just to be in the spotlight, but reached out as another dad trying to help and we will forever be grateful for this kind gesture. @danawhite

Update on Maya from her mother: Oooooh wow. So. Today, I got some good news (finally) the sample from her abcess has no cultures.. still.. but it ALSO hasn't grown in size... That's a good sign (not a promise) that its potentially dead and just needed to be removed... So.. Today, we had a meeting about finally leaving ICU The first time anything has been said that ISNT emotionally debilitating. I'm so incredibly proud of my baby girl. She is SUCH a fighter... SO MUCH that she was recognized as such, early on. Some news we had waited to share (pending circumstances) After a week of being in the ICU we were contacted by the president of the UFC, Dana White, he'd offered maya full paid medical in one of the world's most top tier hospitals in LA California. Edit: He has also offered to pay for a place to stay. Its incredible really. I would have never thought this is where this would go. I'm finally excited to see her become the best version of who she can ne through all this. For anyone who watches UFC, they put my babes name in the ring. Super cool. The childrens hospital has an extensive brain truama clinic and more resources. However, Maya hadn't been stable enough to travel. Until now. Still tentative!.. Providing nothing serious happens between now and Monday. We may finally start looking towards a future for my girls... Stability and recovery. We can get a better look at what she may need in terms of care.. wheelchairs. Ect... It feels as thought the air got lighter, and maya has some light in her eyes... hope just got a little more brighter.. My fighter... I always said her stubborn hard head will work well for her some day. My biggest baby girl -Livin on a prayer.

@ufc @MasonJones1995 @paramountplus Thank you @danawhite for your continued support in having our daughter's name at the ring side amongst the top warriors in the world this is so incredible to see!

What a way to start RD3 👀 @MasonJones1995 vs Axel Sola [ #UFCLondon | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ]

@bobzimmermp Great potcast

👍🇨🇦👍

@Canucks @NHL @BBoeser16

So much love from the hockey community for Maya ❣️ @Canucks @NHL

@Canucks @evanderkane @brockboeser Sorry wrong tag @BBoeser16 😅

Thank you @Canucks for inviting us to the game on Saturday!! This was Dahlia's first NHL hockey game and she had a blast, proudly holding up a sign for her sister! @evanderkane for scoring that first goal like it was ment to be with her wearing your jersey proudly! @brockboeser for coming up after the game! So much love and support ❤️

Today marks one month since the horrific tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. The days have blurred together so much that I’m not even sure where the time goes. I live in a constant state of limbo sitting beside Maya in the hospital until it’s dark, watching the nurses and doctors care for her until I eventually fall asleep. Then I wake up disoriented, not knowing where I am at first, only to look over and see Maya whether it’s her lying there in her bed or the photo of her on my phone’s wallpaper when I try and sleep at the Ronald McDonald House. A constant reminder of a tragedy that so many people witnessed. My mind drifts to the other children who were there. I think about how scared they must have been the screaming, the crying. Even though I wasn’t there, those thoughts haunt me every single day. The endless “what ifs.” No one is ever prepared for something like this. When I look at Maya, I know she’s still in there, and we just keep hoping for the best version of her. It’s a day by day battle. I try to stay strong for everyone around me, but the truth is the weight of it all is crushing. I know I need help. Right now it feels like I’m losing parts of myself and constantly searching for distractions to hide what I’m feeling. I’ve never really been someone who opens up easily, but I’m going to try. I’m going to seek trauma counselling and take that step forward. ❤️

@TLNewmanMTL Our daughter is the strongest girl we know. Everyday she shows signs of improvement! Thank you everyone for your love and support ❤️

Update on Maya from her father! Today Maya is watching "The Thundermans", and it’s been so special to see her enjoying her shows again, a beautiful sense of familiarity and comfort for her. She’s been fairly active, moving the left side of her body, and she even pushed herself up using the foot of the bed! The surgeon showed us her latest CT scans last night, and they are some of the clearest we’ve seen yet. What an incredible improvement from the earlier ones. We’re not saying we’re in the clear this is still something we have to take day by day, but she keeps pushing and showing us she’s there. 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! It might seem little but it's alot for her! And huge for all of us ❤️ Step by step. Day by day. We will get there. Thank you all for your continued love and support. It truly means everything to our family, and we’ll continue to share updates as we can. ❤️

#prayersformaya # 14 forever @EdmontonOilers

@christmasali @ufc @danawhite Thank you ❤️ we appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers and support

@DavidGebala @ufc @danawhite We across the country have been praying and cheering for Maya from the beginning. I know last night was hard, but she pulled through. Please know there are MILLIONS of us behind you and your family in sending love, hope and hugs for Maya.

Big shout out to the @ufc for doing this for our amazing little warrior Maya! Also want to thank @danawhite and everyone involved for reaching out to us! You guys have been truly amazing and we can't begin to thank you enough ❤️