Edge Note: What If They Mistook Disability for Inability?

What happens when other people decide what you’re capable of? After a spinal cord injury at 20, Ken Kunken returned to Cornell University in a wheelchair, only to find a campus without a single ramp or curb cut. The challenge wasn’t simply adapting to a different life. It was navigating a world that hadn’t made room for him. Ken went on to build a career spanning more than four decades as a trial attorney, become a husband and father of triplets, and write his memoir, I Dream of Things That Never Were. We talk about disability, accessibility, depression, independence, asking for help, and why opportunity and inclusion matter far more than anyone’s assumptions about another person’s abilities. In this episode: 02:38 | Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury and redefining independence 05:50 | The importance of family, community, and meaningful support 08:03 | Returning to an inaccessible Cornell campus and pursuing a legal career 10:15 | Writing his memoir, navigating personal challenges, and building a family 17:45 | Self-confidence, disability stereotypes, and the importance of opportunity Connect with Ken Kunken Author of I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Story https://kenkunken.com Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: Join us for exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and resources that encourage self-discovery, connection, and personal growth. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.