NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — There was a time when the soccer field at Stratford High School made Norman Callis beam with pride. But these days he's just focusing on trying to regain the movement in his hands.
Norman has taught Social Studies here for the better part of two decades. He's also coached the boys soccer team and considers his job a "calling."
"I love it, I love coaching. I hope I've done as much for those kids as they've done for me," he says.
But Norman hasn't been able to walk onto the soccer field for six months. In June of 2018 he suffered four massive strokes that left him unable to walk or use his hands. The 60-year-old spent three months in the hospital and doctors thought he may only ever regain about 50 percent of his motor skills.
"It was so much a part of my life and it's been my calling my entire life, so there's a void there," he says.
Since the stroke, Norman and his wife Jeanette have moved into the basement of their Hendersonville home. The stairs are too dangerous for him to navigate with limited mobility.
But he's made incredible progress over the last few months and is hoping he might be able to return to the soccer field in some capacity next season.
"I'm gonna do my best to get back."
