Family & Friends,

It is with very humbled hearts we are reaching out for your support. Our Dad/Papa is a true giver and helper at heart, a selfless man who never asks or wants. He has spent his entire life providing for others and putting the needs of others before his own. The one thing that brings him the most joy in life? Knowing his family and friends are happy, healthy, and cared for. But now, we wish to give back to him during his time of need.

Whether you personally know his health journey or have followed his journey via social media, you know it has been one unpredictable roller coaster, to say the least. He is often referred to as "the man with more than nine lives" and "a walking miracle". We are just grateful for every day we have with him as a family.

Our Dad/Papa has suffered from severe life-threatening health conditions for over a decade. In the Spring of 2021, we were hit with another devasting blow... Cancer. He was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma. Cancer was a punch in the gut on top of everything else. But as you all know, he is a fighter, and he was not going down without one heck of a fight. When he received the diagnosis, his words, "If I have survived everything else thus far, I will be damned if cancer takes me out!" He underwent two major surgeries during the Summer of 2021 before beginning cancer treatment on September 21, 2021. We were told his cancer treatment would not be an easy road due to his pre-existing health conditions. Nothing could have prepared any of us for this journey. Especially our Dad/Papa.

Fast-forward to October 2022, and boy, has it been a tough year for our Superhero. While undergoing cancer treatment and managing the side effects, he was hit with significant setbacks. On January 7, 2022, the day before his 75th birthday, he suffered a stroke while driving home and was in a near-fatal car accident that left him in ICU. Doctors soon discovered he had suffered two strokes, a brain bleed, and a cracked sternum. Cancer treatment was temporarily paused while he recovered and underwent rehabilitation for his impairments due to the strokes. He needed time for his brain to heal. Once his team of doctors felt he was strong enough, he resumed his cancer treatments. But as soon as he resumed treatments, another major setback after another after another. Family, friends and even his doctors often say, "He cannot catch a break." During these last two months alone, there have been three 911 calls and four hospital/skilled nursing stays. But despite it all, he still has the will to FIGHT! Initially, his treatments were to end in September. Due to his setbacks, he will need to continue treatments until early 2023, barring no further complications.

As many of you know, our Dad/Papa loved his job at Disneyland as a PCO (Plain Clothes Officer). Dressing like a tourist and walking around Disney eating his favorite pickle from Adventureland or churro from one of the carts, you cannot beat that! He loved sharing his Disney stories about what he would catch people doing inside and outside the park. But his favorite job perk? Signing in family, friends, friends of friends, and even strangers; so they could enjoy a day at Disney. As many of you read this, you know this to be true because he signed you in. He just loved bringing happiness to everyone he met. He was on medical leave, and sadly, he cannot return to work due to his health and physical limitations. Most would say at 75; he should have retired long ago, especially with all his health conditions. But work gave him a daily purpose and was a good distraction.

Mentally, his departure from Disney was just another blow for him. This past year has not only taken a physical toll but a mental toll as well. Our Dad/Papa has always been a very independent man who does not rely on others. He has always been the provider, helper, and fixer of everything. After his near-fatal car accident in January, which resulted from a stroke while driving, the DMV revoked his driver's license. So this has also been a season of losing his sense of independence and freedom, having to rely on others and feeling like a burden which he always stated he never wanted to be for us. He apologizes for being sick, and it breaks our hearts. I explain to him this is the "circle of life". He has spent his entire life providing for us, and it is our time to care for him. It is time for him to rest and put himself first.

This is where we humbly come to you, our family and friends. Our Superhero could use some support with all of his medical expenses. As you can imagine, his medical bills are astronomical at this point. Piles of medical bills fill the mailbox every day. It has become too overwhelming for him to manage and is a significant stress source. We wish him to have some relief and peace of mind that he will not go bankrupt because of his medical debt. He is too proud to ask for help, so we are asking on his behalf. I might have to take him for some BBQ when I tell him we created a GoFundMe for him. How can he get upset while he is enjoying his favorite BBQ? 100% of the donations will go towards his medical bills and medical needs/supplies. It has upsetting and frustrating when his insurance denies coverage for medical equipment he needs, such as a wheelchair. We are advocating and fighting for him.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts if you can contribute. No amount is too small. Prayers, positive thoughts, and good vibes are greatly appreciated if you cannot contribute. Another idea, since the mailbox is only filled with medical bills these days, if you would like to send an uplifting or funny card, that would lift his spirits as well. Who does not love receiving what I call "happy mail"? You can message me for the address if you wish to send him a card. We are his biggest cheerleaders and will do whatever it takes to keep his spirits up.

And can everyone give a big shoutout to our Mom/Nana, who has taken on the role of a full-time nurse, chef, taxi driver, banker, accountant, secretary, therapist, and so much more. She is the glue for our Superhero and family.

Learning to be thankful for the hard days makes the good days much greater. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

With Much Love,

The Norton Family

*This GoFundMe is being organized by daughter Kristen Norton and granddaughter Alex Norton on behalf of Don Norton.