Bodybuilder Pohatu Higgs told he could never walk again
27 Apr, 2021 11:33 PM
4 minutes to read
Bodybuilder Pohatu Higgs told he could never walk again. Video / Māori Television
Māori Television
By: Originally published by Māori Television
When Pohatu Higgs stands up on the body-building stage rippling with muscles, he s fit, strong and it s hard to believe he was once told he would never walk again.
The personal trainer from Tauranga has a brain and spinal condition called chiari (pronounced kiari), a malformation that causes scoliosis, resulting in three curves in his spine and paralysis in his lower body. It s definitely been a struggle, to say the least. Definitely, there s been a lot of negative feedback when I started to get into bodybuilding just because people were very unsure about my condition and what kind of effect it would have on me.
It was a historic day in Somerset on Friday!
And, I was there to cover this moment for the Daily American as eight healthcare workers at UPMC Somerset received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This vaccine was issued under an Emergency Use Authorization.
They were the first eight of hopefully, many more staff at the hospital and eventually in the community in the war against COVID-19.
Vaccinations were also given locally Friday at Chan Soon Shiong Medical Center in Windber and Conemaugh Hospital.
And, when I interviewed Dr. Kenneth VanAntwerp, Dr. John Nicholson, Amber Phillippi, Dr. Jayesh Desai, Heather Stoy, Kurt Dell, Billie Rummel and Harold Kolonich at UPMC Somerset, my heart went out to these frontline workers who could potentially be exposed to the virus daily.
It was a momentous day at UPMC Somerset at 10 a.m. Friday when eight health care workers who work on the frontline with COVID patients were vaccinated with Pfizer in a step against the virus.
âThis is a historic day at UPMC Somerset. For the past several months, our frontline workers have been working so incredibly hard to meet the health care needs of our community. We could not be more excited that the first people to receive this vaccine are these employees,â said Andy Rush, president of UPMC Somerset. âThese employees received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This vaccine was issued under an Emergency Use Authorization.â