Mose Masoe's efforts to walk again following a serious spinal injury have taken a significant turn with the former NRL prop managing to take steps on his crutches.
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The 30-year-old former Sydney Roosters and Penrith front-rower suffered the career-ending injury in January when making a routine tackle for Hull KR in a trial match.
Masoe snapped ligaments in his neck and was initially initially paralysed from the shoulders down.
Three months into his stay at a specialist spinal unit at the Pinderfields Hospital in Yorkshire, Masoe was told last week he would need to move home to continue his rehabilitation due to the coronavirus outbreak.
However, doctors managed to persuade hospital officials to keep him on the ward so his improvements could be monitored more closely.
"I'm just making the most of every day in here," Masoe said in an interview with Sky Sports.
"I've made so much progress in myself and I'm very grateful to be in here
"In just one week I've learnt how to transfer from my chair into a bath chair, I've started to walk with crutches.
"I've got my own walking frame, so I walk around my bed just with a frame. The physios have been awesome.
"If I fall over, they've taught me how to crawl and to climb up onto something to get you back into the chair. I've learnt that all in a week."
The giant New Zealander has been inundated with support from the rugby league community in England and Australia with his former Roosters teammates visiting him during their recent World Club Championship match against St Helens.
His fighting spirit and positive approach has been an inspirational story and Masoe revealed he's been influenced by his 12-year-old cousin Mark who has spent most of his life in a wheelchair.
"He has cerebral palsy, and he has muscular dystrophy," Masoe said.
"I had one moment with my partner where I had a bit of a cry. But I thought of my cousin and my mood just changed, straight away and I became a happier person.
"Just knowing he has been in a wheelchair his whole life, I can't be here sulking about myself where he hasn't had the option to live his life to the fullest.
"I've been lucky enough to do something I love for the last 12 years.
"I've been in hospital for 12 weeks. But it's been a good journey, every day is exciting, it's like being reborn. You have to learn how to do everything again."
Australian Associated Press
