White Island survivor Stephanie Browitt ‘owes her life’ to medics

Twenty months after the volcano blast that killed her dad and sister, Stephanie Browitt says she “owes her life” to her team of medics — and now she wants to give back.

White Island eruption survivor Stephanie Browitt says she has reached a small milestone in her recovery.

Although her healing will continue for the rest of her life, she is now working to give back to her army of supporters.

Every morning she makes a choice to be grateful.

As she massages the tangled web of scarring stretching across 70 per cent of her body – for the third time that day – she makes a choice to focus on the next step ahead.

When late into the night she replies to a social media message from a distressed parent of a young burns patient, pleading with her for advice on comforting their child, Stephanie chooses to be generous.

White Island survivor Steph Browitt.

The White Island volcano erupts.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without my supporters, my family, staff at The Alfred and my social media community,” she told the Saturday Herald Sun.

“This is all about my support network, not me. I have my community, heroic pilots, surgeons, organ donors, therapists, family and friends and most of all my mother and all staff at The Alfred hospital for helping save my life.

“I wouldn’t be here talking to you today without their lifesaving support. I owe them my life.”

She added: “Knowing these people all over the world, all over Australia, care for me and are wanting to see me improve and do my best, I want to give back to them.”

It has been 20 months since the volcano explosion off the New Zealand’s Whakatane coast that killed her dad Paul and sister Krystal, and left Stephanie to endure six months in hospital to bring her back to life.

Stephanie Browitt's injuries.

The White Island eruption.

Stephanie has been through countless surgeries and the amputation of all of her fingers. All the while she has been backed by an army of supporters she says drove her to push through the toughest times.

Her cheer squad is led by her mum Marie, a woman who has not left her daughter’s side for one day, who fights on to support her daughter despite mourning her family and the tragedy that destroyed her life. She tells Stephanie that giving up is not an option.

Stephanie’s fight is also fuelled by the spirit of her dad and sister; both by the words of strength she hears them say, but also in the memories of the practical jokes, board game nights and silly pranks that were a trademark of Browitt family time.

Stephanie Browitt with her dad, Paul. Picture: Instagram

Stephanie Browbitt with her mum, Marie Picture: Instagram

By far her biggest team of supporters has been her medical team, the plastic surgeons, nurses and therapists at The Alfred.

Marie said the staff “found a heartbeat” in her daughter, and “got to know the real person inside their patient”.

Now, since being buoyed by her own support team, Stephanie is turning the tables and using social media to be a source of inspiration and strength for others.

Stephanie awakes from her coma Picture: Instagram

After being introduced to social media and TikTok by nurses during rehab to relieve the boredom and loneliness of being in hospital during Covid lockdowns, with limited visitors, she now has almost 60,000 Instagram followers and more than 800,000 followers on TikTok.

She gets daily messages of supporters thanking her for inspiring them.

“I’m just very thankful that somehow, by accident, I managed to get this online community and that I’m able to share my recovery and share my progress,” Stephanie said.

“At first I used the social media platform as a cathartic release and now am so overwhelmed with the kindness, love and support I’ve come to know.

“It has been a great source of inspiration to me and if I can in return share my journey and help inspire others, it’s very rewarding.”