The Power of Faith When Tragedy Strikes: A Father-Son Memoir

by Chris A. Norton, Christy Hayes

On a beautiful October day in 2010, eighteen-year-old Chris Norton jogged onto the football field on a kickoff for Luther College and was wheeled off on a stretcher after a routine tackle fractured his spine causing significant damage to his spinal cord. Given a 3 percent chance of ever moving anything below the neck, Chris awoke from surgery sixteen hours later defying the odds by shrugging his shoulder, beginning his long-fought journey to recovery with his family and biggest fan—father Terry—by his side. Told through alternating chapters, this inspiring father-son memoir recounts a young man’s seemingly insurmountable quest to regain movement in every part of his body, and a father’s struggle to be the rock his son and family lean on in the face of their worst nightmare. Chris and Terry depict with brutal honesty the harrowing months they spent in rehabilitation and the years that followed where family, friends, and faith became the nucleus that saw them through. Chris’s graduation walk, marriage proposal, and courageous story have already inspired millions worldwide.

Genres: Sports

413 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2015

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the word inspiration now has a new definition. This book is one of the most powerful I have ever had the pleasure to read. The story of how A singular moment in time changed the lives of not just the football player who was struck down but his family, friends, acquaintances, doctors, nurses, the physical therapy assistants, other victims of this injury and all their circles…it is beyond awe inspiring. I think the thing that struck me the most is how Chris states if he could go back in time he wouldn’t change a thing. Being almost paralyzed actually changed his life for the better.



The book is written brilliantly, telling the tale of the Norton family with the crux being that fateful day when Chris had his neck broken on the football field. The journey from the injury, to the initial care, to the mass rehab is told from both Chris’s perspective and that of his Dad, Terry.



You can clearly see that God had a plan for the Norton family and it only just started with his being injured. Only with God’s hand can a person overcome a 3% chance of ever moving again. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I grew frustrated and I cheered both when Chris asked Emily to marry him and when he triumphantly walked across stage to get his diploma.



I don’t think 5+ stars is enough. Everyone should read this book. It will reach you in so many ways. This book had such an impact on me that I was personally excited to find out that Chris himself had emailed my wife. I would be so excited to receive an email from a man I consider a true hero. A fantastic book that has changed my life.



My Rating: 5+ stars


This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress....

[Alex Laycock · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a pretty incredible story of recovery , inspiring, some bits were a tad repetative but bRILLIANT page turner,....although i hate to say the sceptic thinks a lot of this was due to science and amazing medics rather than God, a very very good read

[Todd McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational book in regards to positivity, faith, acceptance, and living fully with the cards dealt. Interesting style with father and son alternating chapters, a little redundant occasionally but also provides different perspectives. Highly recommend book and was truly moved by Chris Norton and his family.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was clearly written, engaging, and had a great motivational message of positivity, grit, and faith, family, and friends. I’m glad Evan has picked it up to read because there’s a lot for him to gain through Chris’ experiences.

[Melissa Winger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration and faith filled.

[Tanner Morgan]

Chris Norton writes about his tragic injury in a football game that changed his life forever. Chris was a normal college student who played football at a private college in Iowa: Luther University. One week his parents and other family members were set to make the two hour trek to a game against Central College. It was on a kickoff where Chris’ life would be transformed. Chris was riled up and ready to get after the kick returner early on in the game. Unfortunately, when Chris went to make the tackle his head hit the knee of the returner and paralyzed Chris for the rest of his life. Despite the painful and time-consuming recovery, Chris began to regain feeling in his hands and a little bit in his legs. Partially due to the amount of prayer he used right when he received the injury and throughout his recovery, Chris was able to walk across the stage when he graduated from Luther College. This was a landmark for Chris and to this day he continues to pursue regaining his full functioning body as it was before the injury. I found it unique to hear Chris’ story from his own self because he puts a spin on it that I feel would have been absent had he not written the story. Interest in the book was sparked when he referred to faith several times, as I am a fairly faithful follower of God. It is cool that I can connect with an author that has several similarities as I do. Norton used effective sentence structures to keep me engaged such as long and short sentences. The long sentences were used during descriptive times such as when he is setting up the scene before going on about the football game. Short sentences were then used to signal a sort of adrenaline rush that kept me wanting to read more and more. Norton’s use of these sentence lengths effectively keeps the reader engaged in the text and creates “information hunger”. One thing I liked about the book, like I have state already, is the ability I had to connect to it. So this book is perfect for athletes and faith-based people. One negative about the book is its reading level. I felt that the level was a little too low for me however, it was a great read.

[Wesley T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely insirational

The documented journey of a young man given an impossibly small percentage of regaining mobility following a football game accident.
The remarkable story will surely restore faith in those who read it.

[heidi hugar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a amazing Story

[Wendy Bunnell]

I don't usually review memoir because, unlike fiction, I feel like I'm judging someone's life. I would never want to judge Chris' life, as he's definitely rolled with the punches and persevered.
It's an inspirational story, well worth the read.

[Casey Zarr]

Had the opportunity to know Chris and watched him grow up and play sports at my high school. I really looked up to him and the way he holds himself. Chris takes you through his tragedy that ultimately has led him on the life his is today! For a more mature reader, also for an average reading level.