Michael Fatialofa walking unaided is a ‘miracle’ after serious neck injury

Worcester lock suffered a serious neck injury when playing against Saracens at the start of the year

Michael Fatialofa walks unaided 11 weeks after suffering a serious neck injury (loniuhila/Instagram)

Injured rugby player Michael Fatialofa provided a bit of good news amid the coronavirus gloom when a video on Saturday showed the Worcester lock walking unaided 11 weeks after he suffered a serious neck injury.

New Zealand-born Fatialofa was shown walking in a video posted by his wife Tatiana on Instagram.

“You’re witnessing a miracle that even medical professionals can’t explain,” she wrote. “They are so (shocked) by his progress given his critical level of injury.”

Fatialofa, 27, suffered the injury while playing against Saracens on 4 January, less than a minute after coming onto the field in the second half. He has been in hospital since.

“He was literally paralysed from the neck down just 10 weeks ago and currently spinal cord injuries do not have a clinical cure, but my amazing husband is proof that god is never limited to human wisdom. So so so thankful,” his wife added.

Fatialofa had surgery for a spinal contusion, which causes compression on the spinal cord and can lead to paralysis.

His wife said her visits to the hospital will become more difficult because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’ve been advised by the hospital that visiting probably will be reduced to only one hour soon and while I understand completely it’s still so hard on the heart,” she said.

Worcester were going to use their home match against Harlequins on April 11 as a fundraiser for Fatialofa but that game will no longer go ahead as the Premiership is suspended until 14 April at least.

Reuters