#198 - Kenneth Kunken - Doctors Gave Him 0% Chance to Live Normally. His Secret? A Ramp. (You Won’t BELIEVE What Happened Next!)

In this deeply inspiring episode of Mental Matters, we sit down with Kenneth Kunken, a trailblazer who transformed a life-altering spinal cord injury into a lifelong mission of advocacy and empowerment. At 20, Ken became a quadriplegic after breaking his neck in college—a time when accessibility was an afterthought and societal assumptions about disability ran deep.

Ken opens up about navigating an inaccessible world decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act, confronting stereotypes that conflated his physical limitations with cognitive ones, and the unwavering family support that became his "arms and legs." From battling university administrations for basic accommodations to becoming a lawyer, author, and father of triplets, his story defies every preconceived notion about disability.

We delve into the power of storytelling as a tool for societal change, the psychological resilience required to reclaim agency, and why true advocacy starts with making others comfortable with discomfort. Ken’s multidisciplinary approach—melding law, education, and psychology—reveals how systemic barriers crumble when met with relentless compassion and logic.

A must-listen for anyone seeking proof that limitations are often illusions, this episode challenges us to rethink ability, accessibility, and the transformative power of visibility. Don’t miss Ken’s insights on turning personal adversity into collective progress—and why removing two bushes to build a ramp can change the world.

Trigger warning: Contains discussions of physical trauma and societal discrimination.

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