Mose Masoe’s Story of Tragedy, Resilience, and Incredible Positivity

Today on Chiming In Chimes is joined by former NRL and Super League star Mose Masoe who shares his incredible journey. From a catastrophic, life-altering spinal injury to finding joy in his new life on the Sunshine Coast, Masoe offers a masterclass in resilience and the power of a positive mindset.

The Moment Everything Changed

Masoe recounts the harrowing details of January 12, 2020, during a pre-season trial for Hull KR. A routine tackle in the first five minutes of the game resulted in a catastrophic neck injury that initially left him paralysed from the neck down.

"I just went into a random tackle and I thought I knocked myself out really. I was just lying there on the ground. I couldn't really feel anything and I yelled out to one of the boys, 'Can you move my leg?' because I couldn't feel anything. When he grabbed my leg, the weight of it pulled my whole body. I knew then I was in big trouble," Masoe said.

He described the terrifying reality of waking up after emergency surgery, unable to perform basic tasks like pushing a buzzer or drinking water.

"They put a cup of water and the buzzer there, but I can't move. How am I going to drink this cup of water or push the buzzer or ask for the nurse? I was just literally counting all the dots on the roof because I was up for an hour before anyone came in. The surgeon said it wasn’t looking great and I might never walk again, but there was a chance if they could release the pressure on the spinal cord," Masoe added.

Finding Humour in the Darkness

Despite the gravity of his situation, Masoe’s famous sense of humour remained intact. He shared a lighthearted moment involving an ambulance transfer where his inability to control his limbs led to a fit of laughter.

"The ambulance lady’s bed was so skinny and my arm kept falling down. She asked, 'Can you please pick your arm up?' and I just said, 'I can't move!' I couldn’t stop laughing. She looked at me like, 'Oh god, where am I taking him?' and then she realised and felt really sorry," Masoe said.

Even today, as an Uber driver on the Sunshine Coast, Masoe uses humour to navigate awkward social encounters when passengers see his walking sticks.

"People look at me and think I look abled, so they’ll ask if I can help with their bags. I’ll say, 'No worries,' but then I have to wobble out of the car with my sticks. They get so apologetic, but I just make up stories for fun, telling them I got shot or stabbed before telling them the truth at the end," Masoe said.

The Long Road to Recovery

Masoe’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. He celebrated the return of movement in his big toe like "winning a Grand Final." However, he has also learned the importance of balancing rehabilitation with family life.

"I think it’s got to a point where it’s improved as much as it could. If I try to push it to another level, like trying to get off my walking sticks, I’m sacrificing time with my family. It’s good enough now that I can spend time with the family, but if I try to get to another level, it's just exhausting myself and I'm not adding any value," Masoe said.

He spoke with deep gratitude about the support of his partner, Carissa, and the rugby league community in both Australia and England, which raised the funds that allowed his family to build a home.

"I don’t know where I would be without Carissa. I’d probably still be in that bed. My kids have had to grow up real quick, but being able to take them to school and their sports now is something I never thought I’d be able to do again," Masoe said.

Wisdom from a "Marshmallow"

Known as one of the "nicest men in the world," Masoe reflected on why he remains so positive despite the challenges he has faced. He credits his perspective to his cousin, who has cerebral palsy.

"I grew up with a cousin who's got cerebral palsy. I could never sit there and feel sorry for myself. I got to live my life normal-ish for 30 years, play footy, have a family, and explore the world. My cousin will never be able to have a family. You just have to put things into perspective. I think as humans we just have to love each other and be nice," Masoe said.

His advice to anyone struggling through dark times is simple: find someone to talk to.

"It’s always good to talk it out. I know it’s hard at first, but getting that stuff off your chest is better than keeping it in. Just try to talk to someone that you're confident to talk to," Masoe added.

Catch the full episode on Fanatics TV.

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