Mose Masoe injury: The stark reality of former NRL prop’s recovery battle

Mose Masoe’s rehabilitation after a spinal injury has been inspiring, but the former front-rower admits his family is facing a ‘lifetime of struggle’ as he continues his recovery.

Former Penrith and Sydney Roosters prop Mose Masoe has made the harrowing declaration that he will “never be normal again” after a horrific spinal injury last year.

Masoe has been diagnosed as a quadriplegic, meaning he has partial or total loss of use of his four limbs and torso.

The 31-year-old gave a stark dose of reality about his lifetime struggles ahead stating his wife Carissa has become his full-time carer.

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Mose Masoe admits he will “never be normal again” after his spinal injury last year.

He injured himself in a trial match playing for Hull KR against Wakefield in January last year. Masoe expects to remain in England until he relocates to Australia later this year when his Hull KR deal expires. The club have maintained their contractual commitments to their former front-rower.

“(Carissa) has to look after the kids and look after me,” he told Sky Sports. “She hasn’t got three kids now, she’s got four. I know I am facing potentially a lifetime of struggle. I’ll never be normal again. That’s just the truth.

“I can keep working on getting the legs going that bit more but I’ve got to accept I’ll be on medication all my life and the issues I have with my bladder and bowels could be lifelong.”

Mose Masoe in action for St Helens in 2014. Picture: Getty Images

The Mose Masoe Foundation has been launched to provide financial assistance to Masoe and other players who suffer hardship.

He can take a few unaided steps, but struggles beyond that. Sky Sports reported he still has no sensation or dexterity in his hands and cannot feel cold or heat on his feet.

“Everything is hard,” Masoe said.

“I don‘t want to go into too much detail, but Carissa, pretty much has to manually do my bowel care for me.

“During the night because I can’t empty my bladder properly during the day, I have a bucket on the side and catheters and I will do about three to four during the night.

“It’s looking like (it will be like this for the rest of my life).”

Super League will hold a virtual ticket campaign in round two during the Easter weekend while there are plans for fundraisers in NRL matches later this year.

Remarkably, despite the setbacks, Masoe remains appreciative.

“I’m grateful with what the game has given me,” Masoe said. “I’m one of those people that it’s happened — now it’s time to move forward.”

Originally published as Mose Masoe injury: The stark reality of former NRL prop’s recovery battle