Lexington, KY --- The son of a Standardbred owner has suffered an accident that has caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down. John Morris, the 23-year-old son of Joe Morris, fell from a balcony in California in July and is working to rebuild his life. A golf tournament is being held as a fund-raiser on Monday (Oct. 15), in Georgetown, Ky., but even if you can't participate, you can help.

Joe Morris is a nephew of the late well-known Maine horseman Loring Norton and a cousin of Bruce Ranger. The Morris family has lived in the Lexington, Ky., area, and in addition to keeping a Standardbred or two in training, Joe has worked with the Standardbred industry through the NTRA Purchasing Group.

This year he has been serving as a vice president and general manager at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, and his son John was staying at his apartment, where the accident occurred. John got the mail and walked out on the apartment's balcony to read it and instead of sitting in a nearby chair sat on the balcony railing and it gave way, dropping him 35 feet to the ground.

On Tuesday (Oct. 9) the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper published an account of the accident and the resulting ordeal that was written by John's mother and Joe's wife, Deborah. Deborah Morris writes a regular column for the Herald-Leader which focuses on saving money.

"As John worked on his rehabilitation, his father and I learned the nightmares of dealing with insurance companies,” Deborah wrote. "Our insurance wouldn't even pay for the bench John needs to take a shower. The horse industry, which my husband has been involved in since learning the business from his uncle Loring Norton…has banded together to help our son.”

If you wish to play in the golf tournament, it will be held Monday (Oct. 15) at Canewood Golf Course in Georgetown, Ky. Contact Heather Brown at the NTRA office in Lexington to sign up for the $100 per person event. Her number is 859.422.1201.

Contributions may be made by mail to: "John Joseph Morris 2012 Trust,” c/o Chase Bank, 1785 Alexandria Dr., Lexington, KY 40504. For additional information call Evan Ezell at Chase Bank at 859.231.2554.