A long shot to live, now Tyler Burton is walking
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VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Doctors didn’t expect him to live.
But today, Tyler Burton is walking again after agonizing intensive daily therapy for four months at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.
The 21-year-old Vancouver native – once a football star – suffered a crippling brain injury after being punched last October while in college in California. Police arrested a suspect in the case.
Following the attack, Burton couldn’t walk, chew, swallow or even breathe on his own.
Burton wanted to share his recovery on air Monday with a KATU reporter.
“I feel like I’m the same me in a broken body, but getting better,” Burton said.
His body used to be the opposite of broken. He was a tough, disciplined, popular football player at Mountain View High School. After he graduated in 2010, he attended Shasta College in Redding, Calif., to play football.
One punch in face put him here.
“I always tell my patients, ‘We can show you the path, but you have to come ready to walk it,” said Tim Hughes, Burton’s physical therapist.
Burton said he still hopes to play football again someday, perhaps next fall. While doctors admit that seems like a stretch, they say it’s a mystery how quickly he’s improved already.
Of his recovery, Burton said: “I’m not going to walk out of here. I’m going to run.”
Tyler.....
ONLY GOD!
Your Living Hope Church family continues to pray for you and your family.
Stories like this are what keeps me going...... Â What I get from this is.... Don't give up. Â People are capable of amazing things when they put their minds to it. Â This young mans determination, drive and confidence is what makes someone a true winner. Â Reminds me of a poem by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas: Â Do not go gentle into that good night. Â "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Â Bravo to you sir. Â You are an example for all to behold.
Congrats! Stay strong, Â and keep fighting! :)
Great story. Great to read something positive and inspirational once in a while.
I have a friend years ago got punched while trying to break up a fight. Â Head hit the concrete and ended in ICU for 3 weeks in Portland. Â His best friend ended up marring his girlfriend, and he has a studder when he tries to talk - you can see that his brain is fine, but the connections just don't work.
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Here's hoping you a full recovery.
Go Tyler go. This is a game you want to win.
The Human Body is Truly Miraculous at times. Good for you Tyler!
Amazing and exciting..! Â When the time comes, I hope the media will have a cameraman there to get a really good photo of you RUNNING out of there..! Â :-)
im excited to hear that he has come so far! I want to know how much "justice" the perp is getting because we all know the laws unfortunately don't serve justice. What was his sentence? Just because the victim lived the justice system views that the perp gets a reduced sentence? ( i am assuming this so if you know more about how the laws work chip in) What about all the pain and suffering. All the emotional trauma both for the victim and family. What about all the financial considerations? Does the law REALLY consider these when it comes down to a sentence? We all know that the laws are much too soft. Â
Great job, Tyler! Keep it up ... you are doing a FABULOUS job!!!
Way to go Tyler!!!
There is no mystery, check the FB page, Our God did a miracle through Tyler and is using him to change lives! Way to go Tyler and Way to go Roger (Tylers Dad). And most of all, Thank you God of all.
@Janette Weaver Long It has nothing to do with God!! I bet you support the closeted, homophobic cupcake owner too....
So much anger, judgement and accusations! Why? I hope one day you will choose love. For me and my house, we love our God, and we know that anything is possible with His love. Please respect this and know that Tyler loves God with all his heart. He is a beautiful young man who does not wish to see so much anger and resentment. Please respect and keep the peace. We are trying to celebrate the gift of his life and healing. Thank you!Â
 @heartagold02 Then celebrate it by showing pride in the strength that your supposed nephew has and his determination not to give up, and stop giving it to some phantom spirit. If you truly loved your nephew, then the last thing you'd do is tell him, "gee, I'm sure glad GOD is giving you the strength to walk." Might as well tell him, "honey, without God, you're nothing."
 @Janette Weaver Long God has nothing to do with this. It's Tyler's strength of will and determination to get back what he's lost that is making this possible.
I am Tylers' aunt and I assure you that God is the reason Tyler is with us today. When Tyler laid sleeping the in the hospital, in a coma, it was God looking after and healing him. When the doctors said they had done all they can and it was time to say goodbye, we kept our faith, and we have our precious Tyler back. I am sorry if you do not believe. We do. We know His love and grace. I pray for those that do not. In Gods' love, Tylers' aunt Kelli. <3
  @Janette Weaver Long That and the medical community.  If all this happened due to prayer, then you got something there.  Let's give the good doctors and nurses, they years of education and dedication the credit they deserve.
The hospital staff that cared for Tyler were wonderful, gifted and did all they could for Tyler. They were very involved and they themselves said pray, they had done all they can and the rest is up to God. Thank you to all who prayed for Tylers' healing. Our family is forever grateful for the hearts full of love that lifted him up. Love is a powerful thing.Â
 @Harvey 1701 God has everything to do with it, Harvey. God is who Tyler believes gives him strength, so by your denying that God has anything to do with it, you're telling Tyler that he's placing his faith in nothing at all.
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How helpful you are. Gonna go kick a puppy now?
 @Ellis Heindselman  @SocietyToday. Whom do you think created SCIENCE and gave the doctors their wisdom and capabilities?Â
God isn't magic or superstition, that's what ignorant people believe.
He's real and does care about his children. He knows all truth and his power is the exercise of science that makes ours all but irrelevant.
And just because YOU can't understand him or how he works, doesn't mean that others are equally as ignorant.
 @Mikey  @Harvey 1701 Maybe try thanking doctors, people who are helping him or SCIENCE that created ways of healing first. I know god is the default "hero" but trust you would want some real hero's to show up if you where in a medical emergency. Thank god for those who believe in science and progressive medicine.Â
@Mikey @Harvey 1701 Then he has no "faith" in himself, he is the one that did this and the awesome doctors....not God
Awesome job, Tyler! Keep it up and you WILL run out of there!