Chris Norton - The Power of Faith When Tragedy Strikes

Chris Norton has embarked on a journey that few posses the will to endure but many can learn from. I have spent a lifetime working with the worlds extraordinary people and none surpass the drive of Chris. The story of his journey, The Power of Faith When Tragedy Strikes is a book that can illuminate your soul and inspire your life's walk.

~ MIKE BARWIS, Founder & CEO, Barwis Methods Companies, First Step Foundation, Athletic Angels, Senior Advisor of Strength & Conditioning, New York Mets, Strength & Conditioning Consultant, Miami Dolphins

Being a football player, you know you are going to be playing a violent game. It is the lessons that we learn playing the game of football that ultimately help us take on the game of life. When I first got to meet Chris at Yankee Stadium, I knew he was very driven to get back on his feet walking again and also had an amazing support system around him. That support has led him to do amazing things in such a short amount of time. Seeing the video of him walk across stage for graduation brought tears to my eyes and motivated me more than anyone will ever know. Everything happens for reason, and I believe Chris and I were put here on earth not only to motivate each other, but millions of people around the world facing some type of adversity. Just because we have a spinal cord injury does not stop us from living our life, but it has taught us to have a newfound appreciation of life and to live it to the fullest every day.

~ Eric LeGrand, Former Rutgers University defensive lineman, author of BELIEVE: My Faith and the Tackle That Changed My Life, analyst for Rutgers Football Radio Network, and sought after motivational speaker.

I witnessed Chriss determination, courage, and work ethic every day for months at Barwis Methods. He inspired me to push myself harder and to never give up in achieving my goals. Chriss journey from injury through recovery and beyond as portrayed in The Power of Faith When Tragedy Strikes will leave you ready to face whatever obstacles life throws your way.

~ BRANDON GRAHAM, NFL player

Chris:

To Emily, Dad, Mom, Alex, Katie, family, friends, and the countless other people who have always believed in me and helped me along the way. I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for their sacrifices and care.

Terry:

To family and friends for renewing my faith in the goodness of people.

M Y LIFES journey has been blessed by wonderful parents and family, my wife and children, and by the people I have met as an athlete and in my chosen profession as a college football coach. Why? Along the way, these people impacted my life and provided me with experiences which reflected great courage, faith, perseverance, and most of all, love. Chris Norton embodies all of that and more.

Football is the consummate team sport for it exposes a persons inner soul. There are no pretenders as it challenges a person on every single play, but it also places a mantle on a person to live up to the sports challenges off the field. When I first chatted with Chris by phone in 2011, he was facing the ultimate challengeliving. A football player at Luther College, Chris suffered a spinal injury that was so debilitating that the odds were 97 to 3 against Chris even standing let alone walking again. After numerous phone conversations, his friends brought him to Columbus for a visit. I knew then that deep within Chriss soul was the fiber found within all great football players. His courage was ever present as he never backed down from any treatment, and his effort was relentless. His spiritual faith was so strong that even Tim Tebow spoke admiringly about his love of God. Chris also embraced the love of family and friends so strongly that the challenges he faced on his journey were willed aside by the passion he possessed for the love he had for them. The unselfish love that Chris has is what every great football player possesses, its what causes them to fight with relentless effort for their teammatethe players next to them.

Chris allowed me to be his friend and share his world over the past four years. He helped me reenergize my passion for the great game of football. In my twenty-seven years as a football coach I have met many players and all have had an impact on meoverwhelmingly positive. When you read Chris Nortons book you will come to know him from his journey, and how he walked across the stage at graduation at Luther College fueled by his love of family and friends to receive his degree. A 97 to 3 underdog, Chris was the overwhelming winner in living life and in winning the hand of Emily Summers.

Urban Meyer

National Football Championship Collegiate Coach

W hat if it was me? What if it was my son or daughter? Where would I get my strength? How is my faith?

~Terry Norton, CaringBridge, October 22, 2010

I WAVED to the car pulling out of the driveway. My youngest daughter, Katie, waved back and the giggles between her and a friend floating out the open windows echoed softly on the cool October night. As a freshman in high school, it wouldnt be long before Katie sat behind the wheel driving to a sleepover instead of her friends mom. I turned toward the SUVs open hatch, lifted the travel grill into the back in preparation for tomorrows trip, and slid it between the folding chairs and the collapsible table we found useful for tailgating.

Save room for the cooler, my wife, Deb, called from the garage on her way back inside the house.

After flashing her a quick smile, I mumbled under my breath, Its not my first rodeo. Wed perfected the art of tailgating in the few months our son, Chris, had played football for Iowas Luther College. Saturdays game would be the first time my mom, aunt, and uncle would see him play, and I was anxious for him to do well and for them to see how happy he was in college. He was living every kids dream, playing more than any other freshman on the division-three team, loving school, and enjoying the many friends hed made. It did my heart proud to see my kids thrive.

I joined Deb in the house, washing my hands at the kitchen sink before settling in my recliner for pizza and a movie. We usually spent Friday nights out with friends, but with the game the next day and the three-hour drive, wed elected to stay in.

My wife turned on the TV and slipped a DVD into the player. I told Alex wed pick her up at eight and swing by McDonalds for breakfast.

Though our oldest daughter was in her final year of nursing school at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), she still showed an interest in her brothers games.