#2 story of 2015: Chris Norton walks across the stage at Luther's graduation

(Photo courtesy of Luther College)

--by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott:

One of the things you realize after you decide to become a news reporter is that a lot of news coverage involves unhappy events such as a fatal traffic accident or a fire that destroys someone's home.

When Chris Norton was paralyzed in a Luther College football game against Central College in October 2010, that seemed to be just another entry in that category.  Little did I know.  Instead, Chris turned tragedy into triumph, inspiring countless people along the way.

I have talked with Chris regularly over the past five years, so I knew that there was one big goal that Chris always had in mind--he would walk across the stage when he graduated from Luther College.

Last May Chris made that dream come true--and there wasn't a dry eye in the Luther gym.

Chris' journey from the football game to the graduation ceremony is told (along with his father's words) in a new book--"The Power of Faith When Tragedy Strikes."  It's available at Dragonfly Books in Decorah, or on-line through Chris' website, http://scicanfoundation.com.

It's easy to get depressed by everything that happens in our world.  Chris' book reminds me that, despite all the bad news, it's a wonderful world.