White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt reveals incredible recovery

Stephanie Browitt has uncovered her face for the first time since the 2019 volcano tragedy, revealing her incredible recovery.

Stephanie Browitt has revealed her remarkable recovery and removed her face mask after suffering horrific burns in the White Island volcano eruption that killed her father and sister.

The Melbourne woman revealed her scars on 60 Minutes on Sunday, after recently sharing the news she no longer needed to wear a body compression garment or face mask.

“I was unrecognisable, hidden, it was pretty daunting looking back at those photos because I don’t even remember what I looked like,” she said.

“I didn’t have to see myself for a long time so seeing myself bandaged up like that in those photos was new for me.”

Stephanie Browitt masked.

And after she removed her bandage. Picture: Channel 9.

The 25-year-old told 60 Minutes she had burns from her ankles up her body, as she revealed progress pictures from her dozen surgeries and skin grafts.

“I think it’s good to take progress photos, when you are looking at yourself everyday.”

“You don’t notice it as much and it brings you down if you don’t see the changes. It doesn’t keep you motivated or determined,” she said.

“The photos represent how much I have been through and what I have had to overcome,”

“But it also represents being comfortable in my own skin and being proud of what I have achieved and what I will still have to achieve in the future,” she said.

An emotional Stephanie Browitt afte removing her compression mask. Picture: Channel 9

It’s been nearly three years since Stephanie was horrifically burnt in the tragedy. Picture: Channel 9

The White Island survivor when she woke from her coma. Picture: Instagram

Ms Browitt had to wear splints on her hands, use a mouth retractor and go through scar massage therapy.

“I know that surgeries will be a constant in the future, especially with my hands, the function in my hands and also my face because the scars do tighten and contract,” she said.

In late April, Ms Browitt said: “I am, of course, excited and thrilled, but equally as nervous.

“They (the facial compression garments) have been extremely uncomfortable to wear, so I’ll be very happy when they are no longer needed but it’ll also be scary … I’m sure I’ll feel quite vulnerable at the beginning.”

Stephanie recorded her journey as she healed from horrific burns. Picture: Instagram

Her mother, Marie Browitt, told the Herald Sun Stephanie was inspirational in her positivity but her face “unveiling” would likely be “petrifying”, with the possibility her daughter would be subjected to “nasty comments” from strangers.

Stephanie has recently shown off her fading limb and torso scars on social media.

And she has celebrated the fact even her disfigured hands – that she feared would be “useless” for the rest of her life – were improving, thanks to surgery and therapy.

“The difference my range of motion has made to my everyday life is immense … I no longer feel like a burden … I once again feel like a capable woman,” she said.

Marie remained on board the Royal Caribbean owned Ovation of the Seas ship, escaping physical injury.

Stephanie Browitt and her father Paul before the White Island tragedy.

Sisters Krystal and Stephanie Browitt.

The devoted mum said she was immensely proud of Stephanie’s progress, but not a day passed when she did not grieve for Krystal, Paul and the happy family life she once had.

“My nightmares never end. I wish I could just hold them and tell them how loved they are … if only I could turn back time … I have my tears, candles, flowers photos and the cemetery now, but we no longer have ‘a home’,” Marie said.

“We are basically suspended in time … time has stood still for me since the loss of my heart and soul. I go to bed in the hope I dream of my family’s voices and faces.”

Originally published as White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Browitt reveals incredible recovery