Luther's Norton continues remarkable recovery

ROCHESTER, Minn. - He has a dream.

Chris Norton thinks about it every day. It's what keeps him going through the really rough times, the days where the rehabilitation is especially grueling or the frustration especially high.

He has a dream. There's no question it'll come true.

“To go back to school,” said the Luther College freshman from Altoona. “And to lead the football team out on the field for a game. That's definitely something I think about.”

This fall is the time frame, believe it or not. That might sound ambitious, a little overly eager, but don't doubt this kid.

He already has accomplished so much in so little time.

“I can't tell you how much he amazes me,” said his father, Terry Norton. “I continue to be in awe at how positive he is.”

Doctors initially said there was a three-percent chance Chris would ever regain movement below the neck when he suffered a fractured neck and compressed spinal cord while making a special team's tackle during a game Oct. 16 against Central in Decorah. It was a freak injury in which he was hit by a teammate and fell forward into the ball carrier's thigh.

Terry and Deb Norton were watching their son from the stands at Carlson Stadium that day.

“I've never been one of those parents who runs down to the field when their kid gets hurt in a game,” said Terry Norton, who coached Bondurant-Farrar High School to a state basketball championship in 1997. “Chris has played sports all of his life. He tore a muscle in his shoulder playing football, had a broken nose in basketball, gotten stitches. He just went in for a tackle (this time) among a cluster of people. After the play, he laid there, never moved. That's when we knew something was wrong.”

The game was delayed 25 minutes while Chris was tended to by trainers. He was taken to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where a midnight surgery was able to decompress his spine.

While in recovery, Terry and Deb Norton got a surprise that immediately lifted their spirits.

“One of the neatest moments we've had,” Terry Norton said. “He was recovering in ICU, looking at us and wiggling his left arm. He didn't know if we saw him, so he's constantly blinking at us, trying to get our attention while wiggling his arm.”

Since then, each day has seemed to bring some sort of little victory. Chris has complete sensation throughout his body, though not a lot in some areas. There is movement in his limbs.

Recently in occupational therapy, he was able to brush his teeth and feed himself. With the help of muscle-stimulating electrodes, he pedals a bike using his arms and legs. Therapy also includes strapping him into a machine called a Lokomat, which allows him to stand.

“I feel tall,” Chris cracked, when asked what that's like. “It's definitely a different vision.”

A huge Iowa Hawkeye fan, Chris has gotten phone calls and letters of encouragement from head coach Kirk Ferentz, assistant coach Ken O'Keefe and quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Adam Taliaferro, the former Penn State player who recovered from a similar injury, also has spoken with him.

The Nortons say they wouldn't be able to get through this ordeal without their strong Christian faith and the support of so many people. Terry Norton has taken a leave from his job at Des Moines Area Community College and is with his son throughout the week, with Deb spending every weekend in Rochester.

Chris' sisters, Katie and Alex, also are regular visitors. The family has kept a daily journal (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisnorton/journal) from the beginning that keeps family and friends updated on Chris' improving condition.

“I'm getting better every day,” he said. “I'm seeing improvements every day. Things are encouraging ... I guess I kind of don't look at myself as an inspiration to anyone else or anything. It's just who I am. I've got to work hard and try to get through this the best I can.”

He is scheduled to leave the Mayo Clinic on Jan. 21, with further outpatient therapy coming at a hospital in Des Moines. There's still a long road ahead for Chris Norton.

But he has a dream. There's no doubt it'll come true.

“Chris' healing is just such a blessing,” Terry Norton said. “We've got so much to be thankful for.”