[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF CHRIS NORTON, LUTHER COLLEGE CLASS OF 2015 AND SPINAL CORD 
                            INJURY ADVOCATE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROD BLUM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2015

  Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chris Norton, an 
advocate for those recovering from spinal cord injuries and a graduate 
of Luther College, Class of 2015 in Decorah, Iowa.
  During his freshman football season, Chris sustained a serious injury 
that left him paralyzed from the neck down. In the aftermath of his 
injury, doctors informed Chris he had a 3% chance of ever walking 
again. This exceptional young man, after years of physical therapy and 
rehabilitation, overcame those odds and walked across the stage at his 
graduation this past weekend.
  Moved to action by people with similar injuries he met during his 
rehabilitation, Chris, his family, and his friends started the Spinal 
Cord Injury (SCI) CAN Foundation. This foundation is committed to 
increasing access to quality therapy options for those with spinal cord 
injuries. Recently, SCI CAN donated $60,000 to Des Moines University, 
bringing the total donations of the Foundation to nearly $375,000 to 
assist in spinal cord injury recovery.
  I applaud Chris' important work with SCI CAN, his message of hope and 
healing, and wish him well as he continues to recover from his injury. 
I firmly believe Chris is both an inspirational figure and asset to his 
community. I wish Chris and his family the very best as they begin the 
next chapter of their lives.
  I encourage everyone to learn more about the SCI CAN Foundation by 
visiting their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheSciCanProject.

                          ____________________