White Island volcano eruption survivor, 24, reveals why she had to use a towel as a pillow during her 100-day stay in hospital – as she bravely shares new pictures of her recovery
- WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
- Stephanie Browitt was badly injured during the White Island volcano eruption
- She received burns to 70 per cent of her body in the explosion in December
- Her burns were so bad she was forced to use a towel as a pillow in the hospital
- This was so her head would be raised, giving her face a better chance at healing
Stephanie Browitt, 24, (pictured before the eruption) suffered third degree burns to 70 percent of her body and lost parts of her fingers in the eruption off the coast of Whakatane in New Zealand on December 9
A survivor of the White Island volcano eruption has revealed her burns were so bad she wasn’t allowed to use a pillow during her hospital stay.
Stephanie Browitt, 24, suffered third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body and lost parts of her fingers in the eruption off the coast of Whakatane in New Zealand on December 9, which killed her father and sister.
The 24-year-old tool to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal the unusual measure taken by doctors to help her recovery during her 100-day hospital stay.
‘I wasn’t allowed to have a pillow! Instead I had to use a towel,’ she said.
‘I was burnt on my face, chin and neck. With a pillow it tends to make you tilt your head down meaning you’d be leaning on your chin and neck more.’
Miss Browitt explained that doctors wanted to take the pressure off her chin and neck while they were healing.
‘Using a towel does that as it’s more firm,’ she said.
The 24-year-old has revealed the unusual measure taken by doctors to enable her recovery during her 100 day hospital stay, saying: ‘I wasn’t allowed to have a pillow! Instead I had to use a towel’ (pictured)
The 24-year-old also provided an update on her recovery in a series of candid photos
‘When healing from skin grafts the best thing to do is to try and take as much pressure off them to give the best chance of taking and healing to the best of their abilities!’
‘To say it was uncomfortable is an understatement… but yes I got used to it.’
The 24-year-old also provided an update on her recovery in a series of candid photos.
She miraculously survived the blast (pictured) that killed 21 people on December 9
Since receiving several skin grafts she has been wearing a a full face mask to protect her mottled skin
Last week she had her cast removed from her hands, revealing the results of her latest surgery.
The 24-year-old (pictured before the eruption) has been detailing her rehabilitation on social media to share an insight into the daily life of a burns survivor
‘To say I’m happy is such an understatement, I think I’ve been giggling like a child with joy all day,’ she said.
‘I’ve now gained centimetres in the webspace between my thumb and first finger.
‘This is such a big thing for me as I know everyday life is going to be that little bit easier.’
Miss Browitt has been detailing her rehabilitation on social media to share an insight into the daily life of a burns survivor.
Videos on TikTok and Youtube reveal her daily routine which includes moisturising, stretching out her new skin and doing exercise.
Since receiving several skin grafts she has been wearing a a full face mask to protect her mottled skin.
Ms Browitt was on White Island with her father and sister when the volcano erupted.
She miraculously survived the blast that killed 21 people on December 9.
Her father, Paul, and 21-year-old sister Krystal Eve were killed during the eruption.
