White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Coral Browitt’s powerful next step in recovery: ‘So nervous I could feel my heart racing’

Australian White Island volcano survivor Stephanie Coral Browitt has spoken about her continued recovery after suffering burns to 70 per cent of her body in the 2019 disaster.

Browitt, 28, told People learning to love herself in her “new skin has taken time”.

“I was extremely self-conscious and worried about being judged every day,” she told the publication in an interview published overnight. 

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Browitt shared a pivotal moment in her recovery on March 11 when she posted a photo on social media showing her wearing a swimsuit for the first time since the 2019 disaster, which claimed the life of her father Paul and sister Krystal.

“Due to the fear of being so visible, vulnerable & judged I haven’t worn a swimsuit since before I suffered burns. Yet apparently all it took was a business trip to force me to face my fear,” she wrote on Instagram.

“One big step forward was taken today & I’m so glad I’ve finally jumped this scary hurdle & for a good reason.”

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Alongside her comments, she shared a photo showing her wearing the black two-piece swimsuit as well as other photos from her visit to the treatment centre.

It has only been recently that Browitt reached a point of self-acceptance, according to her social media posts.

She told People she spent “a lot of time finding the right [swimsuit]” to wear and when she donned it for the first time she was “nervous and could feel my heart racing”.

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“Self-identity is huge throughout your teenage years and here I was having to start all over again. It was tough. For a long time, I was using clothing as a source of protection to hide my true self, my new skin,” she added.

In an earlier Instagram post, Browitt wrote about how her face has healed in the time since the catastrophic disaster.

“Now vs the moment I unmasked 2.5 years ago in 2022,” she shared. “I wasn’t sure how much more could be improved the moment I took my compression garment off forever. I figured the scars had reached a point of stubbornness against anymore treatments.”

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“Years later & although less obvious, small changes are somehow still taking place,” she explained, adding that she undergoes ongoing laser treatments, steroid injections, day surgeries and good skincare.

“The scars on my face continued to flatten, they have blended in a bit more & the skin is feeling so much more soft & supple,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to the team of people I have providing these treatments & the fact that I have access to them. Look after your skin and it will take care of you back!”

Browitt’s recovery has been both physical and mental since 2019. The White Island volcano claimed the lives of 22 people including 17 Australians.

She told 60 Minutes in 2022 so many people “ranging from first responders, doctors, nurses, family and friends to strangers on the street and on the internet, have left such a significant impact in my life.

“They have all helped me reach where I am today.”

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Browitt met with some of those first responders earlier this year, sharing a post of the moving encounter.

“My heroes. I finally got to meet my heroes & wow, there are no words to even describe this moment,” she wrote alongside photos of the meeting.

“The fact is I would not be alive right now if these amazing men had not flown themselves to Whakaari that day,” she continued. “The hospital could not have worked their magic had Mark, Tom & Jason not taken me off of that island at the very moment when they did.”

She continued: “Rescue wasn’t their job, yet they took it on without a second thought. Their bravery, selflessness & heroism is unbelievable. They truly are the most humble, down to earth guys I’ve met… my absolute saviours.”

Browitt said it goes without saying that she “can never thank them enough but I hope that by living my absolute greatest life they can see how grateful & determined I am to make the most of my second chance, the second chance they gave me”.

She ended the post by saying: “Thank you Mark, Tom & Jason for risking your lives to save mine. I feel so fortunate to live in a world among remarkable people like you.”

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It was December 9, 2019, when the White Island volcano in New Zealand unexpectedly erupted.

Those visiting the tourist destination at the time were hit with gas and volcanic material, which left Browitt with severe burns to 70 per cent of her body including her face, hands, legs, abdomen, back and chest.

Eight of her fingers were amputated and she suffered muscle and nerve damage.

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