Woman given just 3 days to live at birth graduates from college — with honors

Nekhidia Harris has defied the odds.

Born with brittle bones and other health issues, Harris was given just three days to live by doctors. She survived, and the 24-year-old graduated with honors this week from Medgar Evers College in New York City, earning her bachelor's degree in social work. "I feel so excellent," she told ABC 7 New York. This fall, she will start working on her master's degree at York College, with the goal of working with children.

Harris, who is as tall as a small child, has gone through several surgeries, and she's started a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities. "No one has shunned her," said her father, Michael Harris. "Nobody treats her differently, because they see her as tall as they are." It was her dad who gave Harris a piece of advice that has helped her through life. "Use my brain as my height, and I've stuck with that," she said. "And I surely have used my brain as my height." Catherine Garcia

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up