At 23, Stephanie Coral Browitt’s life took a dramatic turn during a dream vacation with her family in New Zealand. What was supposed to be a thrilling adventure turned into a nightmare when a volcano on White Island erupted, leaving Stephanie with severe burns covering 70% of her body and tragically taking the lives of her sister and father.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, the Browitt family’s trip to New Zealand was filled with excitement. Stephanie, along with her sister and father, decided to explore White Island, while her mother stayed behind on the boat. Despite being informed of the volcano’s elevated danger level upon arrival, the family trusted the tour’s safety, not foreseeing the imminent disaster.
The eruption was sudden and devastating. Out of 47 people on the island, 22 lost their lives. Stephanie was among the 25 who were rescued by brave volunteer pilots. The rescue was bittersweet as her father insisted she be saved first, sacrificing his chance of survival. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, deepening the loss for Stephanie.
The aftermath of the eruption was a long and painful road to recovery for Stephanie. She spent months in the hospital, underwent numerous surgeries, and faced the enormous task of rebuilding her life while mourning her family. Despite the physical and emotional scars, Stephanie found strength in sharing her journey with others.
Turning to TikTok, Stephanie began documenting her recovery, openly discussing her treatments, surgeries, and the daily realities of living as a burn survivor. Her candidness and resilience struck a chord with millions, making her a source of inspiration and support for many facing similar challenges.
After two and a half years of wearing a compression mask, Stephanie courageously revealed her face to her followers. Although she admitted to missing her previous appearance, the overwhelming support from her online community helped her embrace her scars and continue her advocacy work.
Today, Stephanie’s journey is far from over. She remains committed to her recovery, advocating for burn survivors, and honoring the memory of her lost family members.
Through her social media presence, she continues to inspire others with her story of survival, resilience, and hope for a future where she, and others like her, are defined not by their scars but by their strength and courage.
