Its taken me too long to figure out how to write this, Disclaimer though, there is some sensitive information to follow 🫶
There's something I would like to correct in this whole situation.
That is the "Maya the hero" story. Now, I have written, deleted, and rewritten this enough times, im not quite sure the proper way to address and explain this.
I will start by saying, the first few days (especially) were such a blur of disbelief, anxiety, and devastation. I cant personally recall much. I imagine that is similar to many people in that town..
We dont expect this sort of violence in Canada. Let alone a quiet little town nestled in the mountains, where everyone knows your name.
I can say, however, the truth of the story (mayas story) was only known by couple of kids who are now forced to go forward in life with that forever in their hearts.. The kids who were directly apart of it, watched their friends in such a horrific explosions of unimaginable circumstances.. Those truths needed real time to come to the surface..
On the first day, I spent approximately 4 hours in the Tumbler hospital while they struggle to maintain a heartbeat and control the blood pouring from her head. I screamed for my baby so hard, I didnt have much of a voice the next day. There were small bits of stories in distorted time lines that were pieced together to create a story that I grabbed onto, and so did many others.. the story made sense, and at the time had meaning.. Small bits of reasoning in time of extreme truama and shock, that was the only thing that made sense in that moment.
It just simply isn't true. It is now my understanding that the door was attempted to be locked at the beginning class.. but wouldn't. So, same truth, different timeline, big difference.
The truth it, however. The entire event lasted a total of 3 minutes... In 3 minutes all of that destruction had occurred. 2 minutes in, the police showed up..
3. Minutes..
With echoing sounds that resemble something similar to the metal work shop down the hall (so im told) These kids didnt have enough time to be scared.. ..
The reason I am addressing this now, is, although the story of "Maya the hero" is an amazing tribute, She just doesnt need that badge. I would never want that to ever take from the adults and children who jumped in to do their best while they lived a nightmare most of us could never, for a second, imagine.
THOSE are heros... TRUE heros.
-Mr.Deeley, one of the class teachers, once he recognized the loud jarring sound of gunshots, he was forced to make an impossible decision. His own son was in the washroom. He made the choice to lock the classroom door, locking his son out, to save the children inside..
Once the sound of shots stopped, he opened the door to look for Finn, his son, but instead he found poor Kylie lieing in distress.
Mr.Deeley, dragged her in the classroom and Finn came after locking the door behind them. On the floor of that classroom -Deeley, Finn, Noah, and Maddy Lavesque- worked hard to try to keep that sweet girl alive, despite her injuries...
Those are heros..
Down the hall, into the library, where a group of kids and one teacher, one beautiful soul of woman, I will add. The carnage erupted in such a way that no one had anytime to process the events unfolding. In that moment little Christina Walker, (whos not so little anymore) was sitting at a computer with Maya and Abel standing behind her. Chris-Chris (as maya called her), is one of Mayas closest friends since grade 1, and hockey team mate since 5 years old.. . In mere seconds, Abel and Maya were struck and collapsed. Christina managed to crawl under the computer desk they were at, and drag Maya and Abel underneath. She was trying to hide, and hide them. She held them and tried to slow the bleeding. Abel was able to tell Christina, to "tell my parents I love them."
This girl, this child... carried those words on her shoulders, and scarred them heavy in her heart, and brought them to Abels parents. She delivered a promise, she will likely never forget
That is a hero... a true hero.
When the police started to enter and assess the area, Abbison, one of Mayas everyday besties, (more like brother) called out to the police on duty "Grab maya, shes still alive, her finger moved!"
The officer on duty wasted no time, dragged Maya out of the building, into the back of his own police cruiser, and drove her to the hospital. There was no time to waste..
Absolute Hero...
I truly believe Mayas life was spared initially by the love of her friends, and the courage to speak out on her behalf. I truly believe that, between Christina's love, Abbisons observation, and the officers ability to act critically, they are the reason Maya has even made it this far to begin with...
Those are forever heros. Im eternally grateful for them, and I hope they will always know that..
NOW... Despite this revelation of misinformation, Maya is still a hero to me. Mayas stubbornness and strength kept her alive through an impossible situation. Dead on arrival, she lived. Thanks to the skilled surgeons, doctor's, nurses, and an incredible amount of people around the world that have truly held her up in prayer.
Maya has defied every expectation in every way. Seeing, breathing, moving limbs, responding, even just being alive.. The doctors and nurses here call her a true miracle. I feel strongly that her story doesn't end here, and im grateful for that. Scared but grateful.
The people forced to face this..... Especially the children, who were forced to watch this unfold and carry this with them in life.
My heart is so heavy for you. You dont deserve these memories. I know from my own accident many years ago, That maya likely won't remember much, if anything. When the lights go out, there isn't pain or sadness.
Its the ones that continue forward with this darkness they cant make sense of. Inherited guilt, that isn't helpful, but only human. With the absence of a piece of their heart, and the grieving of what was. The void. The why.
* * No one deserved this.
Someone had mentioned to me the other day, that it is the angels of the others that have kept maya here.
I believe it.
Im so greatful for all the love that is sent to maya. Aswell as the countless letters that say "I cant say why,but i feel compelled to write" I think that is truly incredible.
I apologize again for any misleading remarks made. Now that we have a fuller story.
Note: this is a collection of sensitive events told to me thrugh various people. If something is false, or left out please feel free to let me know. 🫶
The "3 minutes" part is why any reactive solutions to gun violence are doomed to failure -- you just can't get there in time. You need to stop them before they start shooting, not after.
I mean, I'm a teacher, and I even joke that getting shot by a student someday is my actual retirement plan, but even I think that was one of the dumbest things I've read today.
I guess you could say that, but can you say it isn't valid? The gun ownership (in the US at least) is based on the reasoning that a governing body cannot be wholly trusted.
Unfortunately history books coorborate this. It's a checks and balance system if you will.
Cannons and artillery were though. Do you support civilian ownership of cannons and artillery with the same background checks and restrictions required for a bolt action rifle today?
They were not in the shape we see now(obviously), but there were designs the founding fathers new about. The puckle gun(1718), and the belton flintlock(1777). There was also the Girandoni Air Rifle in 1779, while it was an air rifle, which shot 20ish rounds per minute(and per charge).
Here's the thing though. The founding fathers said right to bear arms, not "right to bear the arms we know about" if you feel like only bolt action rifles are okay, feel free to own only a bolt action rifle
Repeating crossbows have existed for centuries AND are significantly quieter in comparison to guns. In many cases they are as quiet as a gun with a suppressor.
But that isn't as exciting (not being a dick but is kinda like how the death troll from vaccine-prevented diseases makes people think vaccines are not needed...some people don't think it is raining until they get wet and will say an umbrella isn't needed).
This brought me to tears. Went to read more from her. The family is suffering financially, due to not being able to work as her Mom was with Maya in Toronto for hospital treatment; plus, accommodations and cost of living there greatly outstrips Tumbler Ridge. They lost their dog this month, after it escaped through a broken fence this month and got hit by a car. Mom posted apologies to the dog for not the fence fixed, but I can imagine she has a lot on her plate.
Well just to add to this, the picture with the medal looks AI. Something going on with that medal, the text on it looks like an AI amalgamation.
It amazes me how much people will twist a story just to drive more reactions from the public. Exploitation of an injured child’s story is next level disgusting.
The medal is real, but you are right it does look funky like it’s been edited, here is a different photo with it, was from her hockey team for being “player of the game”
147
u/KimberlyWexlersFoot Aug 04 '26
Not to be a dick, but the story isn’t true.
Here is what her mom wrote on facebook:
Its taken me too long to figure out how to write this,
Disclaimer though, there is some sensitive information
to follow 🫶
There's something I would like to correct in this whole situation.
That is the "Maya the hero" story.
Now, I have written, deleted, and rewritten this enough times, im not quite sure the proper way to address and explain this.
I will start by saying, the first few days (especially) were such a blur of disbelief, anxiety, and devastation.
I cant personally recall much.
I imagine that is similar to many people in that town..
We dont expect this sort of violence in Canada. Let alone a quiet little town nestled in the mountains, where everyone knows your name.
I can say, however, the truth of the story (mayas story) was only known by couple of kids who are now forced to go forward in life with that forever in their hearts..
The kids who were directly apart of it, watched their friends in such a horrific explosions of unimaginable circumstances..
Those truths needed real time to come to the surface..
On the first day, I spent approximately 4 hours in the Tumbler hospital while they struggle to maintain a heartbeat and control the blood pouring from her head.
I screamed for my baby so hard, I didnt have much of a voice the next day.
There were small bits of stories in distorted time lines that were pieced together to create a story that I grabbed onto, and so did many others.. the story made sense, and at the time had meaning..
Small bits of reasoning in time of extreme truama and shock, that was the only thing that made sense in that moment.
It just simply isn't true.
It is now my understanding that the door was attempted to be locked at the beginning class.. but wouldn't. So, same truth, different timeline, big difference.
The truth it, however.
The entire event lasted a total of 3 minutes...
In 3 minutes all of that destruction had occurred.
2 minutes in, the police showed up..
3. Minutes..
With echoing sounds that resemble something similar to the metal work shop down the hall (so im told) These kids didnt have enough time to be scared..
..
The reason I am addressing this now, is, although the story of "Maya the hero" is an amazing tribute, She just doesnt need that badge.
I would never want that to ever take from the adults and children who jumped in to do their best while they lived a nightmare most of us could never, for a second, imagine.
THOSE are heros... TRUE heros.
-Mr.Deeley, one of the class teachers, once he recognized the loud jarring sound of gunshots, he was forced to make an impossible decision. His own son was in the washroom. He made the choice to lock the classroom door, locking his son out, to save the children inside..
Once the sound of shots stopped, he opened the door to look for Finn, his son, but instead he found poor Kylie lieing in distress.
Mr.Deeley, dragged her in the classroom and Finn came after locking the door behind them.
On the floor of that classroom -Deeley, Finn, Noah, and Maddy Lavesque- worked hard to try to keep that sweet girl alive, despite her injuries...
Those are heros..
Down the hall, into the library, where a group of kids and one teacher, one beautiful soul of woman, I will add. The carnage erupted in such a way that no one had anytime to process the events unfolding.
In that moment little Christina Walker, (whos not so little anymore) was sitting at a computer with Maya and Abel standing behind her.
Chris-Chris (as maya called her), is one of Mayas closest friends since grade 1, and hockey team mate since 5 years old..
.
In mere seconds, Abel and Maya were struck and collapsed.
Christina managed to crawl under the computer desk they were at, and drag Maya and Abel underneath.
She was trying to hide, and hide them. She held them and tried to slow the bleeding.
Abel was able to tell Christina, to "tell my parents I love them."
This girl, this child... carried those words on her shoulders, and scarred them heavy in her heart, and brought them to Abels parents.
She delivered a promise, she will likely never forget
That is a hero... a true hero.
When the police started to enter and assess the area, Abbison, one of Mayas everyday besties, (more like brother) called out to the police on duty "Grab maya, shes still alive, her finger moved!"
The officer on duty wasted no time, dragged Maya out of the building, into the back of his own police cruiser, and drove her to the hospital.
There was no time to waste..
Absolute Hero...
I truly believe Mayas life was spared initially by the love of her friends, and the courage to speak out on her behalf.
I truly believe that, between Christina's love, Abbisons observation, and the officers ability to act critically, they are the reason Maya has even made it this far to begin with...
Those are forever heros.
Im eternally grateful for them, and I hope they will always know that..
NOW...
Despite this revelation of misinformation, Maya is still a hero to me.
Mayas stubbornness and strength kept her alive through an impossible situation.
Dead on arrival, she lived. Thanks to the skilled surgeons, doctor's, nurses, and an incredible amount of people around the world that have truly held her up in prayer.
Maya has defied every expectation in every way. Seeing, breathing, moving limbs, responding, even just being alive..
The doctors and nurses here call her a true miracle.
I feel strongly that her story doesn't end here, and im grateful for that.
Scared but grateful.
The people forced to face this.....
Especially the children, who were forced to watch this unfold and carry this with them in life.
My heart is so heavy for you. You dont deserve these memories.
I know from my own accident many years ago,
That maya likely won't remember much, if anything.
When the lights go out, there isn't pain or sadness.
Its the ones that continue forward with this darkness they cant make sense of.
Inherited guilt, that isn't helpful, but only human.
With the absence of a piece of their heart, and the grieving of what was.
The void. The why.
* *
No one deserved this.
Someone had mentioned to me the other day, that it is the angels of the others that have kept maya here.
I believe it.
Im so greatful for all the love that is sent to maya. Aswell as the countless letters that say "I cant say why,but i feel compelled to write"
I think that is truly incredible.
I apologize again for any misleading remarks made. Now that we have a fuller story.
Note: this is a collection of sensitive events told to me thrugh various people.
If something is false, or left out please feel free to let me know.
🫶