Michael Alvarez

The Long Road to Normal Michael Alvarez

The Long Road to Normal is Michael Alvarez's memoir. He cheated death three times before he was 19. His long road to a normal life began at 14 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of lupus, which caused complete organ failure. A year later he had his first kidney transplant, but his body rejected it. For the next 12 years he tried to live a normal life in spite of ongoing kidney dialysis and side effects of the lupus. At age 27 he received a second kidney transplant, which is still viable today. Now 45, believing the way to give back to the community and create change through the political system, he has been the mayor of Indian Trail, North Carolina, since 2011. Michael knows he is blessed, he appreciates every day of his life. He is dedicated to leaving this world a better place however he can.