ATLANTA – A Southern University Jaguar, injured in a football game in September, is one step closer to returning home to Baton Rouge.

WBRZ News 2 was the only station there as Devon Gales completed his last day of physical therapy Wednesday.  Also Wednesday, Gales was discharged from the Shepherd Medical Center in Atlanta.

In an exclusive interview with WBRZ reporter Brett Buffington, Gales remembered the last time he took a step on his own.
 
"I remember the whole thing," Gales said. "Going to block, putting my head down, and knowing that I couldn't get up."

Gales has not let the injury define him, though.

"I was cracking jokes, knowing that I couldn't get up. It was an experience that I will never forget," he said.

Wednesday, Gales said this experience made him a better person.

"The Lord chose me for something. He wanted me to use other people to get to him. I'm not mad, there's nothing to be mad for," said Gales. "You always have that day when you're doing to be sad or something, and somebody else is going to have that good day, so why not pick that other person up."

His journey through recovery is far from over. Every day is better than the last, he said.  As for the future, Gales believes he will not be in a wheelchair forever.

"I will walk again; by the faith of the Lord and the support of everybody from Georgia, Southern University, my family, and everybody across the world that's been praying for me," Gales said. 

The Gales family will be at a special ceremony Thursday at the University of Georgia in Athens.  Gales will return to Baton Rouge March 5th.