With her folksy Midwestern accent and the spunk that has defined her life, Kim Norvell wants to make two things clear from the start. First, she’s exceptionally lucky. And, second, don’t feel bad for her.
Yes, Norvell was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 6 months old and doctors said she’d most likely die before first grade. Yes, she’s a cancer survivor after having 13 inches of her colon removed. Yes, every day is a struggle as her morning routine includes coughing for the first hour she’s awake to shake up her organs before she can truly start the day.