Paralyzed Former Athlete Defies the Odds, Walks Down Aisle at His Wedding

In 2010, while playing college football for Division III Luther College in Iowa, defensive back Chris Norton was left paralyzed after fracturing his C3 and C4 vertebrae while making a tackle. In the aftermath of the horrific injury, Norton lost his ability to move, and doctors said that there was a mere 3 percent chance of him ever walking again.

Determined and committed to proving the doctors wrong, Norton didn’t sit in his chair and resign himself to a predetermined fate. On the contrary, he got to work and did everything in his power to recover and get back on his feet. The end result was beyond anyone’s wildest dreams (aside from his, we presume).

Five years after the fracture, in May 2015, Norton — with the assistance of Emily Summers, his then-fiancé — walked across the Luther College stage to accept his college diploma. Nearly three years later, in April 2018, Norton made another life-changing walk. This time it was down the aisle, as he wed Summers in a gorgeous ceremony in Jupiter, Florida.

Having defied incredible odds, the married college graduate now works as a motivational speaker, sharing his story and inspiring others to never give up on their dreams. He also manages the Chris Norton Foundation, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to helping people with spinal cord and neuromuscular disabilities live their best lives.”

“We all have the power to push past life’s challenges,” Norton said.

Words to live by.

In the video below, check out footage of Norton’s inspirational journey to recovery and beautiful photos of his wedding.