only on decorahnews.com: Injured Luther football player Chris Norton is still making progress in his recovery

Deb and Chris Norton in Chris' hospital room at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester

It is hard work for Luther College football player Chris Norton to recover from the October 16th football game injury that doctors first thought might paralyze him for life.  But Norton is relying on faith, family and football to help him on his journey to recovery.

When decorahnews.com visited him late last week, he had just finished another lengthy therapy session.  Doctors prescribe a total of four and a half hours a day of occupational therapy and physical therapy, but Chris says simply "I usually go over."

Actually, that understates the level of commitment Norton has to his therapy.  In addition to occupational therapy and physical therapy, he does nightly "Norton therapy," a series of exercises designed to help his recovery.  Doctors say the first nine months following a nerve injury are the most important months.  "I know that just an extra hour a night could be life-changing," Norton tells decorahnews.com.

His parents, Terry and Deb Norton of Bondurant, say "you can see the progress."  Chris says his back muscles, pecs and lats are all getting stronger.  His arms, legs, and trunk are also improving.  He can feel both hot and cold temperatures on his hands.  His balance and strength have improved to the point that nurses were recently able to help him walk 90 feet.  "I've come extremely far," is how Chris sums his 16 weeks at Mayo Clinic.

The Nortons rely on their faith to sustain them.  "With God all things are possible," they wrote on their website post, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisnorton/journal.  They take turns staying with Chris, with one family member always in the hospital room with him.

Chris' experience on the Luther football team has also given him strength.  Luther football team members visit Chris to hang out and watch sports together.  His experience as a football player also helps him during his recovery.  Just like in football, in therapy you get drills that you have to learn, says Chris, many of them also aimed at improving your coordination.

Chris says his goal is to return to Luther College in September to begin the fall semester on campus.  Late last week he got some good news about that goal--news we'll share Tuesday in our next report on Chris Norton's recovery.

A sign given to Chris Norton by LSU track coach and Luther College grad Todd Lane