On December 9, 2019, Stephanie Coral Browitt (@stephaniecoral96) survived a volcanic eruption on White Island in New Zealand’s northeastern Bay of Plenty region.
The island was a popular tourist destination, and a total of 47 people were there at the time. The volcano had been showing signs of unrest for several weeks before the 2019 eruption.
Stephanie suffered burns on 70% of her body and had to have eight of her fingers amputated. Sadly, 22 people lost their lives in the eruption, including her dad, Paul, and her sister, Crystal.
It has now been over six years since the eruption, and Stephanie is finally ready to share her story on TikTok. She and her mom, Marie Browitt, have also written a book together about their experience called Out of the Ashes.
“It was quite tough and grueling getting through the process of writing this book,” said Stephanie.
“Now that it’s done, I can finally say how proud I am of both my mom and myself for getting through it.”
The book is currently available for pre-orders and is expected to hit the shelves at the end of March. She hopes that the book will be able to help those going through difficult times in their lives and those struggling with body confidence after severe injuries.
She wants people who have suffered terrible losses to know that they are not alone in their grief and their feelings.
In the comments section, many TikTok users praised Stephanie for her strength and shared their own stories of survival and loss. Even after an unimaginable tragedy, there can still be strength and purpose rising from the ashes.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
“I am so sorry. My brother did not survive his burns in a Boy Scout incident due to a fire set by another adult scout. He was 17 and suffered many days in the burn unit. Wishing you the best,” commented one user.
“I lived right near the wharf that the boats came back to. I will never, ever forget that day, especially the sounds echoing off the hills. I hope your book helps people the way you intend!” exclaimed another.
“You are truly a remarkable woman, and I’m sure you will help so many. Two weeks ago, my nephew was burned to 70 percent of his body. You give us hope,” chimed in a third.
“I just want to say the biggest thank you for sharing your story. My mother-in-law was in a bad accident last March that left her with burns to nearly 50% of her body. Your videos gave me hope that she could make it through in such a scary, touch-and-go time. Then, more hope again once she was in the clear, that she could regain her independence. Thank you,” added someone else.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
