Warriors lock Michael Fatialofa has continued his remarkable recovery from a serious neck injury by taking his first steps unaided.
Michael suffered the spinal contusion within a minute of coming on as a replacement in the Gallagher Premiership match against Saracens at Allianz Park on January 4.
He spent four weeks – the first three in intensive care – at St Mary’s Hospital in London but has since been moved to the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury where he has been receiving intensive physiotherapy.
Having taken a few faltering steps earlier this month, Michael has made such startling progress that his wife, Tatiana, has posted footage of him walking unaided at the hospital with a physiotherapist in attendance.
“You’re witnessing a miracle that even medical professionals can’t explain,” Tatiana wrote.
“They are so shook by his progress given his critical level of injury.”
“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.”
Warriors had planned the Gallagher Premiership match against Harlequins at Sixways on Saturday April 11 as Fats Family Fun Day as a fund-raiser for the 27-year-old.
But with Premiership matches suspended until April 20 because of the Coronavirus pandemic that match has now been postponed.
The Coronavirus is also expected to restrict Tatiana’s visiting hours at the hospital in the coming weeks.
“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.
Donations can still be made to the JustGiving page set up to support Michael and Tatiana with their needs in the short, medium and long terms by clicking here