RYAN NORRIS:
Turning stumbling blocks into stepping
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Cooperative Farming News
stones… BY CAROLYN DRINKARD
I
n the Sandflat Community, just south of Thomasville, Alabama, there is a small farm where Tamara and Caleb Norris live with their three biological and three adopted children. Each one of the children in this close-knit family has a personal story of overcoming challenges with courage, resiliency and faith. The Norris family serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking a way to turn stumbling blocks into stepping-stones. Ryan Norris is the second oldest son. From the day he was born, Ryan showed an infectious smile, a winning personality and an industrious spirit. Very early in life, however, the youngster faced some challenges that might require him to take a different path and work a little harder than most other kids. At 18 months, Ryan Norris was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus. By the time he was in first grade, Ryan had endured 5 surgeries. He has a shunt in his brain and has to go periodically to be checked. Even with these stumbling blocks, this innovative young man has worked hard and now owns many different businesses and his own herd of Black Angus cattle.
