CAMDEN, N.J. -- A high school student paralyzed last year during a football game recently went home.

Shykem "Shaka" Lawrence, 18, a Woodrow Wilson High School senior, was injured making a tackle during a scrimmage in August.

Lawrence had been at McGee Rehabilitation Center since leaving the hospital and said he was eager to return home. His family’s house has been equipped to handle his medical needs.

"I've seen worser people,” Lawrence said. “It kind of helped me out that, you know, I can move my head. I can still jab my mouth, you know. Still got it in me!”

Lawrence credits former Penn State football player Adam Taliaferro with helping him psychologically and financially.

Taliaferro suffered a similar paralyzing football injury, but recovered after treatment at McGee.

“I call him my big brother,” said Lawrence. “He came up to see me yesterday.”

Dr. Guy W. Fried, chief medical officer at McGee, cautioned against comparing the prognosis of the two men.

Lawrence has a severe injury, Fried said, and could not move his arms or legs when he arrived.

“You saw Taliaferro kind of running out of the place,” Fried said. “Well, you know, Shaka's not running today. But we hope and pray for the future.”

Lawrence has five brothers and sisters happy to have him home. So too, is his mother, Alvinita Lawrence.

“He's a good kid and he has a long road to go down,” she said. “So by the help of God, he'll be all right.”

Lawrence said he plans to go to his high school prom and graduation. He also plans to attend college.