Masoe walks unassisted after spinal injury
Told he might never walk again, Kiwiborn rugby league star Mose Masoe is making remarkable progress from a career-ending spinal injury.
Masoe was told he would never play again after being carted off injured from a tackle while playing for Hull KR in a pre-season friendly against Wakefield in England in January.
His Hull KR club posted a heartwarming video on social media, which shows Masoe walking unassisted for about 10 metres in a training gym under the watchful eye of his physio – highlighting Masoe’s dramatic improvement.
Last month, he walked unassisted in his kitchen for the first time following spinal surgery, under the eye of his young daughters, who he calls his ‘‘home physios’’.
Following his horrific spinal injury, Masoe recovered at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and returned to his family home at the end of April to join his wife and children.
An online fundraising page was set up to support Masoe and his family and raised more than NZ$200,000.
‘‘I can’t begin to express my love and gratitude to everyone that has been helping me and my family at such a hard time we truly are surrounded by amazing people/family,’’
Masoe said of the support he had received.
‘‘Everyone has their own battles that they are fighting themselves and this has become my new battle for now.
‘‘It’s going to be a long road ahead for me and my little family but it makes it easier for us knowing that we are so blessed with all of your support and well wishes.
‘‘The way I’m going to attack this is with a positive attitude and a big smile on my face.’’
Masoe played in the NRL with the Roosters and Panthers between 2010-13 before moving to glamour English club St Helens.
He switched to Hull KR in 2017, who he played 59 games for before his career-ending injury.