SAN ANTONIO -- Against all odds, 11-year-old Curtis Hammonds walked out of Christus Santa Rosa Children's hospital on his own - just eight weeks to the day of nearly losing his life. On April 19th, police say 36-year-old Corey Hiller stabbed Curtis multiple times and killed his mother and her friend. Hiller later killed himself in jail.
Doctors at University Hospital say Curtis nearly died twice and was given a less than 10-percent chance of survival. He suffered brain damage, lost his short-term memory and the ability to walk or talk. But after weeks of rehab and therapy, Curtis is bouncing back.
"What are you going to do today?" Delaine Mathieu asked Curtis when he walked out of the hospital. "I'm going to go home and play video games, or at least try to," he told her with a big smile on his face.
This bright young boy, who's seen and endured more than any human should, left the hospital with his team of physical therapists and grandparents by his side. His grandmother, Susan Watson, says he doesn't remember the attack, but his body is beginning to fill in the blanks. "He's looked in the mirror, he's seen his scars that he has on his body, on his chest and on his arms," she told Delaine. "But he doesn't remember yet."
Yet, the reality of his mother's death is settling in. "When he sees a cell phone, he said can I use your cell phone, I want to call mom," Susan said. But, he and his family are trying to move on and begin their new chapter together. "What do you want to say to all of these people who helped you," Delaine asked Curtis. "Thank you," he told her. They're eternally grateful to the doctors and nurses who helped him get this far. "I can't think of words other than just thank you," Susan said. "Our prayers have been answered."
