Photos: Devon Gales continues his recovery

Sports

Photos: Devon Gales continues his recovery

Southern University wide receiver Devon Gales has been working to regain mobility of his lower body at Atlanta's Shepherd Center since suffering a spinal injury during a game against Georgia in September.

Southern football player Devon Gales, who suffered a spinal injury in an early season game against Georgia, has received gifts and well wishes from thousands of supporters. UGA coaches, players and staff have also been big supporters of Gales. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Devon Gales and his step-mom Tisha Gales travel from a rehab session back to his room at the Shepard Center. The Southern football player who suffered a spinal injury in an early season game against Georgia attends 5 rehab sessions per day. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Devon Gales is wheeled into his room by his step-mom, Tisha Gales. The Southern football player is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Devon Gales is wheeled into his room by his step-mom, Tisha Gales. The Southern football player is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Devon Gales has figured out that he can move his pinkie finger if he leans over. The Southern football player is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. David Lewis, an exercise specialist at the Shepard Center, looks on. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Davis Lewis and exercise specialist at the Shepard Center places a wrap on Devon Gales hand to help him hold a weight. The Southern football player is rehabbing after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. Gales has up to 5 rehab sessions per day and is making progress. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Devon Gales hands are strapped onto a piece of exercise equipment. Gales hasn't yet gained enough movement in his hands to hold onto the bar. Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales, who suffered a spinal injury in an early season game against Georgia, has received gifts and well wishes from thousands of supporters. UGA coaches, players and staff have also been big supporters of Gales. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern football player Devon Gales is rehabbing at the Shepard Center after suffering a spinal injury in a early season game against Georgia. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Southern wide receiver Devon Gales (33) lies on the turf at Sanford Stadium after a collision during a kickoff left him injured Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Athens. Since suffering a spinal injury on the play, Gales has been working to regain mobility of his lower body at Atlanta's Shepherd Center.

Following the play in the third quarter, Southern University players motion for help for Devon Gales. Gales, a 5-foot-9, 158-pound wide receiver Gales is a redshirt sophomore who made the Jaguars team as a walk-on.

Southern University Jaguars wide receiver Devon Gales was able to move his hands when Ron Courson, UGA senior associate athletic director for sports medicine, first reached him near the Georgia sideline. “Our goal was to prevent further harm and transfer him to a health care facility where he could get the help he needed," Courson has said.

The 21-year-old Gales, a native of Baton Rouge, La., sustained a spinal injury and was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center, where he underwent a four-and-a-half hour surgery.

Within a few days after his surgery in Athens, Devon Gales was transferred to Atlanta's Shepherd Center. Since October he has undergone extensive rehabilitation and treatment. Gales has movement of his shoulders and wrists, but is unable to move his lower body.

A few weeks following Gales' injury, Georgia players began to wear No. 33 on their helmet for the injured Southern player.

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Southern football player Devon Gales, who suffered a spinal injury in an early season game against Georgia, has received gifts and well wishes from thousands of supporters. UGA coaches, players and staff have also been big supporters of Gales. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

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