The teenager is undergoing rehabilitation after breaking his C2 and C3 vertebrae during a routine tackle on May 24. 

Related coverage: Photos of Curtis raise hopes...click here

Maree, who works as a nurse in Forster, was doing the weekend shift when her husband Kevin delivered the devastating news to her from the game.  

“As a parent, it’s always in the back of your mind but to actually get that phone call you think to yourself ‘no it can’t be’,” she said.  

“I haven’t stopped crying. It doesn’t matter what age they are. He’s my baby. He was so full of life.  

“It was such a freak accident. It was a normal tackle for Curt. It was just very unlucky.”

When Maree, Curtis’ dad Kevin and older sister Kayla travelled by car to Sydney, Curtis was being rushed into surgery. 

“The surgeon called about three times and advised us that Curtis needed to go into surgery straight away. That surgeon was a great start to Curtis’ chances,” she said.  

After a successful operation, Curtis recovered at Royal North Shore and it wasn’t long after that his parents witnessed his first positive sign. 

“He asked me to reposition his legs and he moved his feet and legs,” Maree said. 

“He said to me ‘that’s my party trick from last night mum’ and that was our first glimmer of hope.” 

Curtis was moved to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead last month to undergo a rehabilitation program. His daily routine involves an early morning session with an occupational therapist, learning basic routines such as brushing his teeth and an hour of physical rehab.  Curtis has also been attending school in the hospital with other patients.

Since being at Westmead, Curtis has been regularly walking short distances with the assistance of physios, has regained good control in his hands and is eating and drinking.

Maree says Curtis has continued to amaze physiotherapists and doctors with his recovery. 

“He’s always pushing harder with his rehab. The physios have been quite amazed by him they’ve labelled him a ‘freak’ and a ‘miracle’,” she said. 

“They told us that you don’t make this much progress usually with this type of injury.” 

With great progress, there is still the possibility of Curtis being unable to walk and this is something the family have acknowledged, Maree said.  

“Since doing the program he’s really started to move forward but we know that he’s still got a lot ahead of him,” she said. 

“Mentally he hasn’t changed. I thought we would go through a few up and down moods but he’s just stayed his beautiful self. 

“He hasn’t asked how long he has to be there for because I think he knows it will take time. 

“The only thing he’s asked me is if he’ll come home in a chair and I said ‘whatever is meant to be will be darling’ and he seems to take it all in his stride.” 

When Curtis will return home is not clear yet but the family are remaining optimistic.

“We’re taking each day as it comes. There’s still nothing final. They were thinking September or October but it’s not certain,” she said.

“As hard as it is for us to see him there we know it’s the best care.” 

Curtis’ parents have had their lives put on hold since the accident with both having to take time off work to be at the hospital on a regular basis.

Curtis’ older sister Kayla, 18 has maintained a bedside vigil while his brothers, Mitchell, 24 and Hayden, 27 are frequently travelling down from Gloucester.   

Maree says staying in Sydney has been easier with the accommodation at the Ronald McDonald House at Westmead. The family have also been offered support by NRL representatives who have helped the family with accommodation. 

A turning point in Curtis’ recovery was when he met Newcastle Knight Alex McKinnon, Maree says. 

“I think it made him realise ‘I’m not the only one’,” she said. 

“Alex certainly got a laugh out of Curt and turned both their situations into light-hearted fun.”

Since being back in Forster, Maree says the support has been “overwhelming.” 

“I knew the response was huge but until your home and see it – it’s quite overwhelming, I had tears in my eyes,” she said. 

“I want to thank everyone for their support. It’s all the well wishes that get you through. The gratitude is hard to explain.”   

Maree pointed out the tireless support from Forster Tuncurry Hawks junior coaching mentor Warren Blissett who has acted as a media representative for the family and Curtis’ two friends who have established the Curtis Landers: Road to Recovery Facebook page. 

“Warren and the boys have done a beautiful job. The boys get everything first hand from the family as does Warren. I just want to thank them for putting their own time aside to do it all.”