WARRIORS lock Michael Fatialofa will continue his rehabilitation from a serious spinal injury at Sixways following his discharge from hospital.
The 27-year-old Kiwi has been in hospital since January 4 when he suffered a severe contusion of the spinal cord within a minute of coming on as a replacement in the Gallagher Premiership match at Allianz Park.
The lock sustained the life-changing spinal injury from a tackle gone wrong in the club’s clash with Saracens and faces an uncertain future in the professional game.
He was rushed off the pitch by paramedics to an Intensive Care Unit in a London hospital, but was paralysed from the neck down.
He has spent the last four months in the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury where he has made such remarkable progress that he was discharged from the specialist spinal injuries unit last Friday (June 5).
A major fund-raising bid to support wounded Fatialofa on his long road to recovery raised more than £20,000 in just over 24 hours.
Warriors will support the next stage in Michael’s recovery with a programme supervised by Ryan Kehoe, the club’s head of medical. Michael will also have use of the facilities at Sixways, subject to the latest social distancing regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kehoe said: “Following a hand over from the rehabilitation team at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we will look to continue to build on the amazing work they have done with Michael.
“His rehabilitation at this stage will focus on improving his general muscular strength, co-ordination and mobility.”
