Story touches many hearts

The story of Doc Norris and his struggle to regain his life after a burglar shot him in the face and nearly killed him three years ago touched people across the Lowcountry and as far away as Canada.

Readers continue to offer donations, prayers and holiday wishes to Norris and his family in response to The Post and Courier's four-day series, "A Violent Encounter," that began Dec. 2. The stories chronicled the May 12, 2003, shooting in Georgetown and Norris' painful recovery.

Norris was surprised to hear that complete strangers want to help him. "I think it's great," he said. "I appreciate that you made this article about me."

Norris made miraculous strides after the shooting due in large part to his faith and fighting spirit and the deft hands of MUSC surgeons who rebuilt his face. But now he's battling bone cancer, and his medical bills have reached nearly $1 million. His family can't afford to replace his teeth. So he eats through a feeding tube to keep his strength up.

He prays that the man who shot him and blew away the lower half of his face will turn his life around. Franklin Lee McGirt, who led police on a one-week manhunt after shooting Norris, is now serving a 25-year prison sentence.

Norris said he couldn't have made it after the shooting without his family and friends and the army of people in the medical and criminal justice communities who've helped him.

His wife, Judy Norris, said she is humbled by the outpouring of prayers and well wishes. "It's kind of overwhelming."

Norris' condition changes day to day. But his family is encouraged that he recently gained a couple pounds. They hope he soon will not need a feeding tube and, someday, get to dine on his favorite meal, a steak.

TO HELP

An bank account at First Federal of Charleston is set up to help pay medical expenses for Doc Norris, a Georgetown resident who was shot in the face by a burglar in May 2003. Donations can be made to account #4006006218.

Letters and cards can be mailed directly to Doc Norris at 242 Missroon St., Georgetown, SC 29440.

Contact Ron Menchaca at 937-5724 or rmenchaca@postandcourier.com