The Seven Longest Yards : Our Love Story of Pushing the Limits While Leaning on Each Other

He was told he'd never walk again. She was losing hope that she'd ever feel whole again. This is their miraculous true story of defying the impossible. "In my very first impression of Chris, I was blown away by his determination to stay positive, do the work, and trust that God had a bigger story in mind . . . this book is a master class in the power of perseverance." -Tim Tebow Quadriplegics simply do not walk again - yet millions watched as Chris Norton defied incredible odds and took step by impossible step across his graduation stage. With his fiancée Emily by his side, those unbelievable steps became the start of an extraordinary journey for them both. Told from both of their unique perspectives, this moving story invites you to find, as Chris and Emily have, that God can transform our lowest points into life's greatest gifts. In a moment, Chris went from a talented college football player with a promising future to a quadriplegic with a 3 percent chance of ever moving or feeling anything below his neck, much less walking again. Determined to prove the doctors wrong, he pushed himself through grueling, daily workouts to achieve his goal four years later: walking the stage to receive his college diploma with Emily's help, and to the world's astonished applause. Meanwhile, Emily faced her own challenges as she sunk into a deep battle against anxiety and depression, despite her life's outward blessings. Day by day, decision by decision, Chris and Emily committed themselves to taking the extra step, trusting God, and leaning on the help of others. In a story of courageous faith and grit, this extraordinary couple's journey ultimately led them to tackle the seven longest yards - down the wedding aisle and into a new life together. And what a new life it is: Chris and Emily have adopted five beautiful girls and welcomed foster children - seventeen and counting! - into their home and hearts. Let this book be your inspiration for defying your own impossible, and finding joy on the other side. "In a moment, Chris went from a talented eighteen-year-old college football player with a promising future to a quadriplegic with a 3 percent chance of ever moving or feeling anything below his neck, much less walking again ... Determined to prove the doctors wrong, he pushed himself through grueling, daily workouts until four years later, he did the impossible. Chris walked across the stage to receive his college diploma with the help of Emily, the love of his life and the world's astonished applause. Meanwhile, Emily faced her own challenges as she sunk into a deep battle against anxiety and depression. Despite having a devoted fiancé, a fulfilling career working with youth, and a strong faith, she couldn't shake the mental darkness that clouded their promising future. Day by day, decision by decision, Chris and Emily committed themselves to taking the extra step, trusting God, and leaning on the help of others..."--Dust jacket front flap Cover Tlitle Page Copyright Contents Foreword Acknowledgments Prologue: First Steps into Forever 1: In an Instant 2: A Passion to Make a Difference 3: Three Percent Chance 4: “You Will Beat This!” 5: Not What I Expected 6: Finding Emily 7: Falling for Each Other 8: Up to the Challenge 9: Chasing Something Bigger than Ourselves 10: Olympic-Level Training 11: The Graduation Walk 12: Media Frenzy 13: A Fog Descends 14: Searching for Hope in a New Place 15: Instant Parents to a Seventeen-Year-Old 16: Finding Faith Again 17: Peace At Last 18: Tackling Two New Challenges 19: Learning to Walk by Faith 20: Planning a Wedding When the Wedding Is the Least Important Thing You Have to Do 21: The Wedding Walk Epilogue: Wouldn’t Change a Thing Photos The World Watched As Chris Norton, A Quadriplegic With A 3% Chance Of Ever Moving Or Feeling Anything Below His Neck, Took Ten Impossible Steps. The Seven Longest Yards Tells The Unforgettable Story Of How He And His Wife, Emily, Battled Unbelievable Odds With Faithful Determination To Discover That Life's Lowest Moments Can Be Our Greatest Gifts.