A 21 year old Vancouver man who played college football until late last year now measures his touchdowns in each step he can take in rehab room.

Tyler Burton speaks in quiet raspy voice, when asked about being trapped in his once athletic body.  "Stuck in the same, broken body, but getting better."

Burton was punched during a party in California last year...his head bouncing off concrete...for several weeks he was in a coma...on life support...but the athlete is now rebuilding his body...through physical therapy... "First I stretch out, then I start walking, around here, then go to hall, then walk to the stair right there and try to do that."

While the man who crippled him awaits trial, Burton reaches for big goals. "I don't want to be in wheelchair, I want to walk and do the things I used to do."

Burton's most recent succes was to eat a cheeseburger.  He's had to learn to chew and swallow all over again.  When he recovers Burton would like to work in sports medicine.

Doctors say he may soon be able to go home...but rebuilding himself will take much longer.