A Southland rugby player is sharing her recovery journey after suffering a broken neck during a match, hoping her experience raises awareness about player safety while inspiring others facing serious injuries.
According to a report by Stuff, Joccoa Crosswell, a farmhand from Tokanui, fractured two vertebrae after a head-high tackle while playing lock for her Mataura-based rugby team on May 15.
Recalling the incident, Crosswell said she initially continued playing before the pain became unbearable.
“I remember getting hit hard and then getting up . . . I continued playing for a little bit, and then the pain hit me, and I came off,” Stuff has quoted.
She was taken to Gore Hospital as a precaution after developing tingling in her left hand, prompting concerns she had suffered a spinal cord injury. She was later transferred to Invercargill Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had broken her neck.
“I was like lying flat on my back, I just started crying because obviously I was like, I'm not going to be able to work, I can't ride my horses,” she said, as quoted by Stuff.
Crosswell was later moved to Dunedin Hospital, where she was fitted with a halo brace attached to her skull to stabilise her neck while the fractures healed.
“I can't take this off at all.”
The brace has made everyday tasks such as eating, sleeping and getting dressed challenging, and she has even had to replace much of her wardrobe to accommodate the device. She is also unable to lift more than two kilograms, preventing her from returning to work or caring for her horses, Stuff has reported.
Crosswell celebrated her 21st birthday while wearing the halo and has since been told she will never be able to play rugby again.
“It's a bit hard, but at the end of the day, I'd rather still be able to walk and talk than play a game . . . I'm not like a Black Fern or anything,” as quoted by Stuff.
Despite the setback, she remains determined to continue horse riding.
“But there's no way that I'm not getting back on the horse,” she said, Stuff has quoted.
Doctors have told Crosswell she was fortunate to survive the injury without permanent paralysis.
A specialist reportedly told her: “Do you understand how lucky you are?” as quoted by Stuff.
She was informed that the injury could easily have left her paralysed or even claimed her life.
Although she had hoped to have the halo removed this week, doctors have extended the treatment by another six weeks.
“Not the news I wanted, but it’ll be worth it once I can do stuff again,” Stuff has quoted.
Crosswell said the opposing club sent her a gift basket after the incident and stressed she held no ill feelings towards the player involved.
“Wouldn’t have done it on purpose.”
“Accidents happen; it is a contact sport.
“I’ve moved on,” Stuff has quoted.
As part of her rehabilitation, Crosswell has been documenting her recovery on TikTok, where she has also shared messages about safe tackling techniques.
“Normally I don't like posting myself online that much, but I thought if people are going to judge me, they're going to judge me,” as quoted by Stuff.
Instead, she has received widespread encouragement, particularly from fellow women rugby players, with many praising her openness about the challenges of recovering from a serious injury.
“There is no point in being like a sad sack about it,” as quoted by Stuff.
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