Whakaari / White Island eruption survivor Stephanie Browitt has finally been allowed a day-trip home, months after the disaster that left her in hospital.
Browitt, her father, Paul and sister, Krystal, were among the Australian Ovation of the Seas cruise ship passengers who ventured to White Island on December 9 last year when it erupted, killing 21 people. Tragically, Paul and Krystal - who was celebrating her 21st birthday - died.
Stephanie survived, but a large portion of her body - reportedly up to 70 percent - was burnt. After initially being treated in Christchurch Hospital, she was transferred to a hospital in Melbourne.
On Friday, she posted that after nearly six months in hospital, she had "finally got approval for day leave". She shared a series of photos and videos on Instagram, including two videos of her dog, who was turning one, welcoming her home.
"To say I got the best welcome back hug and cuddles from my dog is honestly an understatement! Mum had to try and stop him from jumping on me so I wouldn't get clawed (she failed miserably and I honestly didn't care lol)," Browitt wrote.
"But today couldn't have been any better and it felt amazing to be back in my home even [if] it was just for a day."
In previous Instagram posts, Browitt said her legs are "fully burnt" as are most of her outer thighs, her back and hands.
"I've had many skin grafts on them and also because I was bedridden for months, I had to learn how to walk again," she said last month.
"Thankfully the jacket I wore that day saved my arms. I did get a few burns on my elbows from trying to lie down on the burning hot ground though. Unfortunately, the jacket did not save my back."
She said in the post that she was needing more surgeries in the future and therapy would continue for "months and months".
"Of course, mentally, I'll never fully recover from this. But I'm trying my best to focus on what I can change and not what I can't."
A GoFundMe page set up in the aftermath of last year's tragedy has raised close to $80,000.
Forty-seven people had been on the island when it erupted, 38 of which were passengers from the Ovation of the Seas. Stephanie's mother, Marie, had decided not to go to White Island and stayed on board the ship.
Of the 21 fatalities, 14 were Australians, five were from the United States and two were Kiwis.
