by Chris Norton
Looking back on the day, I remember feeling disappointed when our local TV station cancelled the interview they’d scheduled with Chris the morning of graduation. They planned to stay and cover the event, so when they withdrew, there was no one there reporting. The absence of the media didn’t take anything away from what Chris had accomplished, but I thought it would’ve been nice to have his story shared to possibly inspire others.
It wasn’t long before the media maelstrom began, starting with an online article that garnered many hits and caused the station that cancelled to do a follow-up. The next day, Memorial Day, they sent a TV crew to our house. From there, the story went viral, reaching surreal proportions. CBS Evening News asked for permission to run the story, Chris and Emily appeared on Fox & Friends with Elizabeth Hasselbeck, NBC Nightly News came to our house, followed by an out-of-the-blue flight to New York City to appear live on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Along the journey to New York, major media outlets in Japan, Australia, and the UK contacted Chris requesting to run his story. Every major online media outlet ran his account as well. I went from being disappointed that his inspirational milestone was getting overlooked to feeling humbled by our blessings as his tale went viral. Once again, God had bigger plans than I did.
While graduation ended one chapter of his life, it marked the beginning of another. For the first time in a long time, Chris had the world by the tail, and no matter what came, we all knew he could handle life’s ups and downs.
By the grace of God, “Team Norton” was ready for anything.
FIRST WE would like to thank God because all things are possible through Him. We would also like to thank Christy Hayes for her expert advice, dedication, and tireless work on our behalf to make this book a reality. We had dreamed of someday writing a book together about our journey, but this would have stayed only a “dream” without Christy and her expertise. Our paths crossing happened for a reason, not by chance.
We would like to thank our family; Deb, Alex, Katie, and of course Grandma Connie, for being there every step of the way from the beginning. This journey would have been impossible without their love and continuous support.
We can’t begin to thank all the family and friends who have supported us through this experience. Chris would like to thank his college friends who took him to therapy, worked with him daily, helped not only make the college experience possible, but memorable. In addition, thank you to all of Chris’s caregivers, nurses, therapists, and doctors who took excellent care of him. Thank you to our hometown friends and family who organized fundraisers, remodeled and repaired our home, and made countless trips to Rochester to support us. For all of those people’s love and support we dedicate this book in their honor.
Lastly, Chris wants to thank Emily for her devotion, care, and love for him. Without her, Chris would not be where he is today.
We pray the message that comes through from this book is the power of faith, family, and friends, and that your responses—not your circumstances—determine your outcome in life.
CHRIS NORTON is a motivational speaker and founder of the SCI CAN Foundation. Chris suffered a severe spinal cord injury playing college football in 2010, losing movement and feeling below his neck. Through faith, family, and unwavering perseverance, Chris came back from his injury stronger than ever, receiving his business management degree from Luther College.
Chris has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, Fox News’ Fox & Friends, NBC Nightly News, CBS’s The Early Show, and his story has been featured in TIME, USA Today, E!, People, and Cosmopolitan.
Chris speaks regularly to students and organizations about overcoming adversity and achieving goals. Currently residing in Michigan with his loving fiancé Emily, Chris wouldn’t take back the play that left him paralyzed due to the positive influence his story has had on millions of people worldwide.
Learn more about Chris at https://nortonmotivation.com, or follow him on Twitter @chrisnorton16.
TERRY NORTON is the Director of Des Moines Area Community College Jasper County Career Academy. Terry has over twenty years of experience in education and training, both in the corporate sector as well as K-12 and post-secondary education. Terry earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Iowa and a Masters of Art in Teaching from Drake University. Terry is the proud father of three children and has been married to his beautiful wife, Deb, for over thirty years. Terry has served as board president for the SCI CAN Foundation since it’s inception in 2012.
CHRISTY HAYES is a USA Today bestselling author from Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia, has been married to Chris for more than twenty years, and they’ve been blessed with two wonderful children, Charlie & Lindsey. Learn more about Christy at www.christyhayes.com.
Text Copyright © Christopher A. Norton
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Praise for Chris Norton and The Power of Faith When Tragedy Strikes
Dedication
Foreword
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Pictures
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Copyright Notice
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