March 24, 2025 • 34 mins
The moment Ken Kunkin made that fateful tackle during a Cornell University football game in 1970, his life's trajectory was forever altered. Left a quadriplegic with minimal movement in just his left arm, Ken faced a medical establishment that offered little hope—suggesting his future might consist of selling magazine subscriptions by telephone. But this podcast conversation reveals how profoundly they underestimated his determination.
Ken's journey unfolds like a masterclass in resilience. With unwavering family support who promised to serve as his "arms and legs," he became the first quadriplegic to graduate from Cornell University—navigating a campus without a single ramp or curb cut. Against all odds, he earned three Ivy League degrees, only to face another crushing reality: despite sending over 200 resumes, no one would hire him. The employment discrimination he encountered eventually gave way to opportunity when Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr. recognized his potential, launching Ken into a remarkable 40-year career as an Assistant District Attorney.
What makes this conversation particularly captivating is how Ken’s personal and professional journeys intertwine. His love story with Anna, who began as his personal care attendant and eventually proposed to him, reminds us of life’s unexpected beautiful turns. Together, they defied medical improbabilities by becoming parents to triplet sons through in vitro fertilization, creating the family that continues to inspire Ken’s advocacy work.
Throughout our discussion, Ken articulates the transformative impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act while highlighting how much work remains in creating genuinely inclusive spaces. His passionate defense of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts comes from lived experience—from being unable to fit through courtroom doors as a newly minted prosecutor to having the Nassau County DA's office create an annual award in his name.
Listen to this remarkable story of a man who, when told something was impossible, simply reframed it as "I'm possible." Ken's memoir, "I Dreamt of Things That Never Were," and his continued advocacy remind us that limitations are often more about perception than reality. His message will leave you questioning what seemingly impossible dreams you might pursue with just a bit more determination.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Good afternoon and welcome to a very special
episode of A Contagious Smile.
We have such an inspiration,such a story of resilience.
A gentleman, to say the least,Ken, is with us today.
It is my distinct pleasure andhonor to have this esteemed
guest.
I have been looking forward tothis for a very long time.
He has a story that willabsolutely grab at you.
(00:25):
He suffered a life-alteringspinal cord injury during a
college football game at CornellUniversity back in 1970.
He faced incredible challenges.
Yet he's here today.
He has emerged with adversity,he has done his memoir, he has
accomplished so many things.
He has multiple degrees and hehas dedicated his life to
(00:47):
helping public service.
He's even been an assistantdistrict attorney in Nassau
County.
And all of you I'm tongue tied,which never happens.
I want to thank you so verymuch for being here today and
giving us your time.
I know it's valuable.
So thank you, sir.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Thank you, victoria, and thank you for having me as
your guest and giving me theopportunity to share my story.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well, I am just going to let you jump in.
You tell me your story.
You have been recognized for somany contributions that you
have done throughout your entirelife and you have been given
rightfully so so many amazingawards.
But can we kind of start backat Cornell and kind of give the
history a little bit and kind ofmove forward so people
understand exactly what happened?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Sure Well, in 1970, I was 20 years old, it was early
in my junior year at CornellUniversity.
I was playing on theirlightweight football team.
At the time it was also called150-pound football, now it's
called sprint football and wewere playing in a game against
(01:51):
Columbia University.
And during the game I made atackle on a kickoff and when I
tackled the ball carrier I brokemy neck and severely damaged my
spinal cord.
As a result, I am almosttotally paralyzed.
I have just a little bit ofmovement in my left arm Excuse
(02:13):
me and nothing on the right sideof my body.
So I'm considered aquadriplegic and I need help
with virtually all aspects ofdaily living.
So, following my injury, Ispent the next nine months and
20 days in various hospitals andrehabilitation centers.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
What was that like for you, going through all of
that rehab and surgeries andhospitalizations?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Well, it was brutal, I mean it was incredibly
depressing.
Hospitalizations Well it wasbrutal, I mean it was incredibly
depressing.
And I found the medicalprofessionals were reluctant to
tell me much about my injury andmy disability.
So while I knew that I hadbroken my neck, I didn't know
much about spinal cord injuries.
So I really didn't know forquite a while why I was not able
(03:04):
to move.
And while I was undergoingrehabilitation, I found that the
best they seemed to think Iwould ever be able to do would
be to someday sell magazinesubscriptions over the telephone
.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
No.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
And while at that time I couldn't even dial a
telephone at that time this wasthe age of rotary telephones,
not even touch tone phones and Iwas not able to take notes or
write anything and I was worriedI may not even be able to do
(03:40):
that.
So it was incrediblyfrustrating, incredibly
depressing, and at the time oneof my Aunt Lorraine's friends, a
person by the name of AlbertMeglin, visited me in a rehab
facility and suggested to methat we write a book about what
(04:00):
I was going through Because, ashe said, not many people knew
much about spinal cord injuriesback then or what rehabilitation
was like, and he thought itcould be helpful and informative
to a lot of people and maybeeven help me deal with my
depression.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Did it help.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Now this was about 25 years before Christopher Reeve
was injured, so obviously afterhis injury people learned a lot
more about spinal cord injuries,but before that the public
didn't really know much about it.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Right, right Did writing help you.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
You know it was.
It was, I guess, good to getdown my feelings on paper, but
it took a long time.
You know, initially we gottogether once a week and wrote a
little bit, and then when I gotout of the rehab center I only
saw him sporadically, so I wouldtry myself to type a little bit
(05:06):
on an IBM Selectric typewriterwith some special braces and
splints that I had.
Again, this was well beforelaptop computers.
So it was really difficult forme to put my story down on paper
and it actually took me closeto 50 years before I actually
(05:27):
completed it.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
And your book, which is I dreamt of things that never
were, did it?
You found it therapeutic as youcontinued the journey, going on
with your writing.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
You know I work both ways.
In some ways it was just toremind me of my journey and how
far I've come.
But in some ways it was just toremind me of my journey and how
far I've come, but in otherways it was very painful to
relive some of the mostdifficult, depressing days of my
life and to dwell on it and gointo detail about it.
I mean, there are a lot ofthose times that I would have
(06:01):
preferred not to have thoughtabout again, but I thought it
important to get it down onpaper.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Sure sure.
What was your strength?
Where did you find yourstrength to help you get through
those incredibly challengingtimes?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Well, I was very fortunate that my family every
step of the way.
Excuse me, I'm having a littleproblems with my voice at the
moment.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
No, you take your time.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Can you make another turn?
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Excuse me, no, you're fine, you take your time.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
I was very fortunate that my family was very
supportive, helped me every stepof the way and basically
assured me that they would actas my arms and legs to make sure
I could do everything that Iwanted to do in my life, and
with their help and support Iwas able to go back to college,
complete my education, actuallygo and work and eventually get
(07:04):
married and become the father ofsome incredible sons.
I have three beautiful sons youhave triplets.
I have triplets.
They're now 20 years old andthrough the inspiration that I
got from seeing them and fromthe help of my incredible wife,
(07:25):
as well as the rest of my family, I received a lot of
encouragement to go on and dowhat I was doing.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Yes, and you've done so much.
And before we started recording, I had the honor of meeting
your wife, anna, for just asplit second.
She seems amazing.
She just seems so amazing.
And I want to take a momentbecause I am not only I'm
special needs, but I'm also amom to a beautiful young lady
who's special needs, and I knowhow it is to be a caregiver.
(07:52):
So hats off to her, becauseit's a big thing and you can
tell she does it with love.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Thank you Absolutely, and I was so fortunate to have
met Anna and we got marriedactually way back in 2003.
So we're married more than 21years now.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
What's the secret?
Speaker 2 (08:13):
When we got married, anna indicated that she wanted
to have my baby Now.
At this time that really seemedimpossible.
I had been paralyzed for morethan 30 years at that time and I
was already in my 50s.
But we researched variousoptions, including in vitro
(08:34):
fertilization, and found itstill may be possible for me to
father a child.
So we pursued it and, as luckand fate would have it, anna
became pregnant with triplets.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
You didn't just give her one baby, you gave her three
.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Right, and I was actually present in the delivery
room when I gave birth to mythree sons.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Can you tell us a little bit about how y'all met
and your story, because it seemsso Sure.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Well, you know, I need help in all of my
activities of daily living.
So what I usually do is I put anad in the newspaper to be able
to meet and then hire a personalcare attendant, and over the
years I've had some females, youknow, respond to the ad and do
(09:25):
the job.
But it's very difficult for afemale because they need to be
able to lift me from the bed tothe wheelchair.
So I found females need to benot only strong but tall to be
able to reach over thewheelchair to lift me.
And I found after a while thatI received a lot of positive
(09:45):
responses by putting an ad inthe Polish newspaper that's
published here in America.
So I put an ad in the PolishDaily News and, to my good
fortune, anna happened to bevisiting the United States at
the time, saw the ad, respondedand even though she had never
done this kind of work before,she seemed like the perfect
(10:09):
candidate and I was fortunate tohave made the right decision to
have hired Anna.
And the more we got togetherand got to know each other, our
relationship grew and progressed.
Ana had actually been here inAmerica to improve her skills
speaking English and she feltworking with me may help her
(10:33):
improve her English speakingskills.
So it kind of worked out wellfor both of us.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Sure, and she was absolutely beautiful, I'm sure,
absolutely Stunning now, I'msure.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Absolutely Stunning.
Now she still is Absolutelystunning, absolutely beautiful.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
So you dated, kind of sort of, and then you popped
the question how long aftermeeting her did you ask her?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Well, that's an interesting story.
Well, that's an interestingstory If you know a little bit
more.
It was actually Anna proposedto me.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
What.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Yeah, incredible stopped for a brief period of
time and Ana started seeinganother individual and we missed
each other and decided weworked real well together and I
was fortunate.
Ana came back and the more wegot to know each other and spend
(11:34):
time with each other, we knewwe were right for each other.
But I thought I would never getmarried.
I thought it may not be fair tothe woman to be married to
somebody with my limitations,but Anna was very well aware
what they was and she helpedtake care of me for quite a
period of time.
So we met in 1969.
(11:59):
No, 1969.
No, no.
Ada just said no.
I thought we met in 1969.
Well, actually the end of 1968,we met and no, I'm sorry, 1999,
not 69.
1999.
(12:20):
Ada was born in 69.
We met in 1999.
And we got engaged in 2001.
So we met in 1999, got engagedin 2001.
So by then we knew each otherreally, really well.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Of course, absolutely .
Wow, she sounds like such aninspiration for you she really
is.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
She really is.
She encourages me and inspiresme every day with all that she
does yes, and she sounds likesuch a sweet person she's the
best oh, I love that.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
I love that.
I love that.
I love that.
All right, so after thishorrific injury, your specific
mind, your mindset shift and nowyou help other people with
disabilities in so many ways,you help them do so many things.
Can you kind of like tell me alittle bit about what you're
(13:16):
doing and how you're helpingother people like you and I that
are going through challenges?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Sure.
Well, I indicated, I went backto school following my injury
and while I completed myeducation in industrial
engineering, which I wasstudying at the time, I got hurt
.
Following my graduation, whileI was still at school, I took an
elective in psychology and mypsychology professor, a person
by the name of Dr James Moss,took an interest in me and
(13:51):
encouraged me to pursue a careerin counseling.
And through his encouragement,following my graduation I stayed
at Cornell and earned amaster's degree in counseling
and student personneladministration.
And then, to increase mycounseling credentials, I went
to Columbia University where Iearned my second graduate degree
(14:16):
.
This one was a degree inpsychological counseling and
rehabilitation.
And now that I had two degreesfrom Cornell, one from Columbia,
three prestigious Ivy Leaguedegrees, two master's degrees, I
thought I shouldn't have toomuch difficulty securing
employment.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Yeah, I wouldn't think so.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
To my dismay, no one would hire me.
This was in the mid 1970s.
I looked for a job for a year.
I sent out more than 200resumes and I was even turned
down when I off to volunteer myservices, because back then it
seemed like everyone felt I wasjust too disabled to work, felt
(15:06):
I was just too disabled to workand I was fortunate that I met
an individual by the name of DrHemi Viscardi Jr here on Long
Island, new York, who hired meto work as vocational
rehabilitation counselor to helpother individuals who had
severe disabilities.
So he hired me to work at acompany he started called
(15:26):
Abilities Incorporated, which ispart of what's now called the
Viscardi Center, and through hishelp and encouragement I went
to work as a vocationalrehabilitation counselor and I
absolutely loved the work, lovedthe facility and loved what
(15:47):
everybody was doing there.
So I was really fortunate to bein contact with him and to be
hired by him.
So during my work there, myresponsibilities kept expanding.
My responsibilities keptexpanding and one of my duties
(16:08):
was to speak at conferencesbefore groups and organizations
concerning affirmative actionand non-discrimination for
people with disabilities, andoften after my talks I would be
asked questions and while Iwould certainly do my best to
answer those questions.
I was always careful to cautionthe questioners.
They should really consult witha lawyer about their concerns.
(16:28):
And I guess it wasn't longbefore I started to think you
know, there's no reason why Icouldn't become that lawyer.
So I actually left my job andwent to Hofstra University
School of Law and pursued acareer in law.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Wow, that's amazing.
That's amazing.
So what is life like for Kennow?
What do you do now?
So, what is life like for Kennow?
Speaker 2 (16:55):
What do you do now?
Well, you know I worked,following law school, as a
Nassau County Assistant DistrictAttorney.
Oh, I was a prosecutor and Iloved that job.
But while I was doing that, Ihad also been asked to be a
member of the Viscardi Center'sBoard of Directors, where I
previously worked, and I was sopleased that, you know, they
(17:20):
invited me to be on their Boardof Directors and to continue
advocating for people withdisabilities.
And, you know, advocate forpeople with disabilities and try
, and, you know, show employersthat people with disabilities
can not only work but work welland become some of the best
(17:43):
employees and most loyalemployees that an employer can
ever hope to find.
So I worked for the districtattorney's office for more than
40 years.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
But I'm now fully retired and still active in the
Viscardi Center on their boardof directors.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Good for you.
Good for you.
Why do you think so manycompanies I mean there's
countless companies, because Isee it all the time too that are
so hesitant in opening up andgiving opportunities to people
who have challenges?
Speaker 2 (18:16):
You know, I think for one they're afraid of the
unknown.
A lot of these individuals havenever spent time, spent much
time with people withdisabilities, and they're afraid
of what they see physicallyabout a person, that they just
(18:39):
assume a person cannot docertain things that they feel
are important for the job.
And it's those assumptions thatare so limited.
Because somebody has adisability, whether it be
physical or intellectual,doesn't mean that they're
totally disabled.
There's usually an awful lot ofability in those people and in
fact that was one of the reasonswhy Dr Viscardi Jr named the
(19:02):
company he started, abilitiesIncorporated, because, even
though it catered to people withdisabilities, he wanted to
emphasize the abilities thatpeople have.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
That's such a fantastic name.
I love that.
That's fantastic.
What can we do to open theireyes, to let them see that we
are worth taking that chance on,because we are the most loyal,
we understand and we'll workharder than most people do.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
You know, it's getting more and more
frustrating now that there aresome people that seem to think
diversity, equity and inclusionis not a good thing.
Right, and I'm here to say DEI,diversity, equity, inclusion is
an incredibly positive thingthat helps so many people, so
(19:55):
many people.
And, I might add, at thedistrict attorney's office, you
know, when you leave the job,you go what they call an exit
interview, where you tell thepersonnel director what you
found best about the job, whatyou liked the most and what you
thought could be improved.
And I'm so happy and proud tosay that on a number of
occasions, a number of my fellowassistant district attorneys
(20:15):
said that they found the bestpart of their job was meeting,
working with and getting to knowme.
And the reason why I say thatis because what they're actually
referring to is meeting,getting to know and working with
on a daily basis someone with adisability, because unless they
(20:35):
grew up with somebody with adisability or had a close
relative with a disability, theyrarely came in contact with
somebody on a daily basis whohad a disability, and for many
it was a revelation that for one, we're no different than
anybody else.
Two that we're hard workers andthat it didn't mean additional
(20:56):
work to them, and I felt so goodto hear that.
And in fact, I might add, twoyears ago the district attorney
actually started an award in ouroffice, called the Kenneth J
Kunkin Award, that they give outto the outstanding assistant
district attorney each year whobest exemplifies the work ethic
(21:21):
of the person in a wheelchairRight, the person that worked
with them, that had a disability.
That is who they chose to honornow, and it's the only annual
award they give out.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
I love that I love that and you know we do fight so
hard because you think about it.
I mean our resilience.
We are such fighters, we gothrough so much and that's why
we take not one thing forgranted, because you know, those
moments are so amazing.
What an honor.
Congratulations for that.
That is so well deserved andamazing.
I've only known you for alittle bit and I'm just like I
(21:56):
can understand why that would bean option to provide to
somebody on a yearly basis,because you're amazing and
people don't take the time.
There's so many judgmentalpeople that just will look at
you on the outside and amazingand immediately just judge you.
Like people look at me andthey're like, oh, you have scars
everywhere and you don't havean arm and you don't have
(22:17):
hearing, and you, you know allof this and it's just why are
you so judgmental, right?
But then the other day I was inCostco and Two Lanes Over was a
beautiful couple signing and Ihave not signed in a long time
because now I'm learning to doit one-handed, but I was fluent
and so I signed Hi nice to meetyou and we engaged in this
(22:39):
beautiful communication betweenthe two of us and I noticed
people were starting to watch usand it's like, why are people
so quick to just be sosuperficial, to judge the
outside without trying to get toknow who we are on the inside?
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Absolutely, and you know what.
What really helps is the morepeople interact with somebody
with a disability, the moretheir attitudes change, and I
can't say enough about theimpact the Americans with
Disabilities Act has had.
That came about 1990 and startedto be implemented in 1992 with
its rules and regulations.
I had the added misfortune ofbeing injured 20 years before
(23:24):
that act took place.
So back then, before that act,you didn't see a lot of people
with disabilities out in publicbecause at least people in
wheelchairs could not get around.
You couldn't get up steps intobuildings or up and down curbs
to cross streets.
And what a difference that acthas made in so many people's
(23:48):
lives.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Yes, so give us a little insight, because as soon
as we are finished, I'm going togo order your book.
About the book what is it about?
Tell us about the ins and outsof it.
Give us a little inside scoop.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Well, you know, I felt like I'd been told for so
many times, so many years, thatthere are things that I cannot
do because of my disability, andI was determined to prove them
wrong of my disability.
And I was determined to provethem wrong.
When I went back to Cornell,there was not one ramp or curb
(24:24):
cut on the entire campus.
My first day of classes I hadto be either pulled up or
bounced down close to 100 stepsjust to attend my first day.
But I was determined to make itwork and, through the help of
personal care attendants, myfamily and fellow classmates, I
became the first quadriplegic tograduate from Cornell
University.
(24:45):
I then became the firstquadriplegic to earn a graduate
degree at Cornell University.
And you know, just to jumpahead, I had difficulty getting
that job even after getting allthose degrees.
And I might add, even back thenI was looking for a job to be a
(25:05):
rehab counselor.
Even people in the rehabcommunity seemed hesitant to
hire somebody with my disabilityand it's taken a while to show
people how much people withdisabilities can actually do.
And you know, it was incredible.
(25:27):
When I first started working atthe Viscardi Center in 1977, I
was named the Long IslandRehabilitation Association's
Rehabilitant of the Year and itwas a very wonderful honor that
I was bestowed.
But at the awards ceremony Ireceived a standing ovation from
(25:49):
about 250 rehab personnel whowere really the same rehab
personnel who a few monthsearlier were too hesitant to
hire me to work for their ownorganizations.
And I think a lot needs to besaid about that, that there's so
much people can do andsometimes you need to be the
(26:11):
first to do something and notwait for somebody else to take
the initiative and make thefirst move before you have
enough courage and confidence inyourself to say it's just the
right thing to do.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Yes, you're just such a motivational speaker.
You're amazing.
It's amazing.
I've moved mountains when I waslike I'm going to tie my shoes,
and I tie my shoe one handed,you know, and my husband laughs
at me because I'll take a nailand a hook and a hammer and I'll
hammer that into the wall andI'll hang a picture and he's
just like you've got to bekidding and I'm like I'm going
(26:47):
to do it.
I'm not, you know, I've had twohands and now I only have one
and I'm learning, but I'm goingto do it and you have that
mentality.
That is what is soinspirational to me.
That makes me want to do evenmore.
And you just don't quit.
How do you keep that suchpositive light about you?
And I'm sure the beautiful handon the side helps tremendously.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
It sure does, and so do my kids.
But I might add that myextended family has helped me
every step of the way.
I mean, they basically assuredme they'd act as my arms and
legs to make sure I could doeverything I wanted to do in
life.
And it got to the point wherethey were doing so much for me I
thought I'd be letting themdown and disappointing them if I
(27:30):
didn't do everything I possiblycould do with my life.
But what's so frustrating is,despite obstacles, sometimes
things are made even moredifficult for no reason, and
that's why I emphasize againwhat a difference the Americans
with Disabilities Act has made.
Just to tell you a little bitabout my career in law, I was
(27:53):
able to graduate law school inthe standard three-year time
period.
I passed a very difficult NewYork State bar exam the first
time that I took it.
I began my work in the districtattorney's office by
participating in a veryintensive four-week training
program where they taught us allaspects of trial techniques
(28:13):
from a prosecutor's perspective,and I was so proud to go to
court my first day only to findI couldn't fit through the
swinging doorways in thecourtroom to get to the
prosecutor's table.
So those are obstacles that youhave to ask yourself why were
they ever obstacles?
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Right.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
And they were so easy to remove and change things to
make it accessible for everyone.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
Yes, ken, let me ask you on the moments and we all
have them where you just aren'tat your highest peak, where
you're kind of feeling like, oh,this is just frustrating and
annoying.
What kind of tips of adviceespecially from a man, because
obviously I'm a female and somany times I get to work with
men and they ask me but from amale perspective, what kind of
(29:03):
inspiration or frustrationaltechniques do you use that that
others can use?
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Well, one of them obviously is just looking at my
family, my wife and my kids.
Well, one of them, obviously, isjust looking at my family, my
wife and my kids.
I see how wonderful they are,how they're working so hard to
make their lives successful,productive, rewarding and to
help others.
You know all of them want to dotheir best to help others, and
when I see that in them thatinspires me to do more with my
(29:33):
life, see that in them thatinspires me to do more with my
life.
And when I think about thechallenges out there, I also
think about all the wonderfulpeople that are out there that
want to help.
Sometimes they just don't knowthe best way of going about it,
but I know most people arereally good people that want to
help and taking advantage ofthat is a wonderful position to
(29:58):
be in, where you have theopportunity to now help others.
And when I originally got myjob as a rehab counselor, that
was the first opportunity that Ireally had to help others.
After years and years of beinga recipient of so much help, now
I was able to help others andpay back, you know, with thanks
(30:21):
and the work that I was doing,and it's such a great feeling to
be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
Yes, absolutely Absolutely.
What inspiration advice wouldyou give to someone who's just
starting out going throughanything that's been a life
altering challenge for them,whether it's?
You know, I, when I hear theword impossible, I like to just
change it.
I'm possible because there'snothing we can't do.
(30:47):
We just take a differentjourney.
We take a different path, andyou know what those less
traveled are more beautifulRight, and you know what those
less traveled are more beautifulright.
So if you're seeing somebodyfor the first time that is just
starting the rehab process, whatwords of advice do you have for
them?
Speaker 2 (31:01):
Well, it's similar to what you just said.
Just because it may seemimpossible doesn't mean it is.
I mean, it's only impossibleuntil you actually do it.
And not to listen to thenaysayers.
Don't listen to the people whotell you that you can't do
something or it's just toodifficult.
What's important is how youfeel about yourself and what you
(31:23):
believe you can do, and it's soimportant to keep your spirits
up and your self-esteem and yourself-confidence up and to
believe in yourself.
Right, and you know, when youare faced with challenges, it's
so important to take them headon.
(31:45):
I believe it's important toparticipate in activities, not
just sit back on the sidelineswaiting for something to happen
or waiting for something to begiven to you.
It's important for you to facechallenges, handle them head on,
participate in as manyactivities as you can and make
(32:08):
something of your life.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
So now you're retired , good for you.
What is retirement going toinvolve?
So now you're retired.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Good for you.
What is retirement going toinvolve?
Well, retirement right now isinvolving still advocating for
people with disabilities.
I am also involved on theCornell University Council,
where I've been proud andhonored to accept being a member
of that council.
I'm serving on the ViscardiCenter Board of Directors.
(32:35):
I've been involved in being aguest on many different podcasts
.
Now I've been a guest on morethan 60 podcasts where I want to
share my story and advocate forpeople with disabilities and,
in addition, I'm trying to bethe best husband and father I
(32:56):
could possibly be.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Now, I know some amazing people who would love to
have you on their podcast.
Am I allowed to like send youtheir way as well?
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Oh, there's some fabulous people that would just
love and be honored to have youAbsolutely.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
Absolutely.
Where can we find your book?
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Okay, well, they can go to my website, which is
kenkunkincom, and that'll tell anumber of different ways that
they could get my book.
I mean, the most obvious way isto go on Amazon, where it's
listed.
It's also listed on the CornellUniversity website, but if they
go on my website, kenkunkencom,that will give additional ways
(33:38):
as well.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
Well, I cannot thank you enough for your time today.
I want to thank Anna she'samazing and just give her a
virtual hug, because I know howimportant she is in this entire
equation, and if there's everanything that I can do to help
when you are advocating, I wouldbe honored to stand beside you
and help you any way that Ipossibly can.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Thank you so much and thank you for having me a guest
on your podcast.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
Absolutely.
Good afternoon and welcome to a very special
episode of A Contagious Smile.
We have such an inspiration,such a story of resilience.
A gentleman, to say the least,Ken, is with us today.
It is my distinct pleasure andhonor to have this esteemed
guest.
I have been looking forward tothis for a very long time.
He has a story that willabsolutely grab at you.
(00:25):
He suffered a life-alteringspinal cord injury during a
college football game at CornellUniversity back in 1970.
He faced incredible challenges.
Yet he's here today.
He has emerged with adversity,he has done his memoir, he has
accomplished so many things.
He has multiple degrees and hehas dedicated his life to
(00:47):
helping public service.
He's even been an assistantdistrict attorney in Nassau
County.
And all of you I'm tongue tied,which never happens.
I want to thank you so verymuch for being here today and
giving us your time.
I know it's valuable.
So thank you, sir.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Thank you, victoria, and thank you for having me as
your guest and giving me theopportunity to share my story.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well, I am just going to let you jump in.
You tell me your story.
You have been recognized for somany contributions that you
have done throughout your entirelife and you have been given
rightfully so so many amazingawards.
But can we kind of start backat Cornell and kind of give the
history a little bit and kind ofmove forward so people
understand exactly what happened?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Sure Well, in 1970, I was 20 years old, it was early
in my junior year at CornellUniversity.
I was playing on theirlightweight football team.
At the time it was also called150-pound football, now it's
called sprint football and wewere playing in a game against
(01:51):
Columbia University.
And during the game I made atackle on a kickoff and when I
tackled the ball carrier I brokemy neck and severely damaged my
spinal cord.
As a result, I am almosttotally paralyzed.
I have just a little bit ofmovement in my left arm Excuse
(02:13):
me and nothing on the right sideof my body.
So I'm considered aquadriplegic and I need help
with virtually all aspects ofdaily living.
So, following my injury, Ispent the next nine months and
20 days in various hospitals andrehabilitation centers.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
What was that like for you, going through all of
that rehab and surgeries andhospitalizations?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Well, it was brutal, I mean it was incredibly
depressing.
Hospitalizations Well it wasbrutal, I mean it was incredibly
depressing.
And I found the medicalprofessionals were reluctant to
tell me much about my injury andmy disability.
So while I knew that I hadbroken my neck, I didn't know
much about spinal cord injuries.
So I really didn't know forquite a while why I was not able
(03:04):
to move.
And while I was undergoingrehabilitation, I found that the
best they seemed to think Iwould ever be able to do would
be to someday sell magazinesubscriptions over the telephone
.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
No.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
And while at that time I couldn't even dial a
telephone at that time this wasthe age of rotary telephones,
not even touch tone phones and Iwas not able to take notes or
write anything and I was worriedI may not even be able to do
(03:40):
that.
So it was incrediblyfrustrating, incredibly
depressing, and at the time oneof my Aunt Lorraine's friends, a
person by the name of AlbertMeglin, visited me in a rehab
facility and suggested to methat we write a book about what
(04:00):
I was going through Because, ashe said, not many people knew
much about spinal cord injuriesback then or what rehabilitation
was like, and he thought itcould be helpful and informative
to a lot of people and maybeeven help me deal with my
depression.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Did it help.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Now this was about 25 years before Christopher Reeve
was injured, so obviously afterhis injury people learned a lot
more about spinal cord injuries,but before that the public
didn't really know much about it.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Right, right Did writing help you.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
You know it was.
It was, I guess, good to getdown my feelings on paper, but
it took a long time.
You know, initially we gottogether once a week and wrote a
little bit, and then when I gotout of the rehab center I only
saw him sporadically, so I wouldtry myself to type a little bit
(05:06):
on an IBM Selectric typewriterwith some special braces and
splints that I had.
Again, this was well beforelaptop computers.
So it was really difficult forme to put my story down on paper
and it actually took me closeto 50 years before I actually
(05:27):
completed it.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
And your book, which is I dreamt of things that never
were, did it?
You found it therapeutic as youcontinued the journey, going on
with your writing.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
You know I work both ways.
In some ways it was just toremind me of my journey and how
far I've come.
But in some ways it was just toremind me of my journey and how
far I've come, but in otherways it was very painful to
relive some of the mostdifficult, depressing days of my
life and to dwell on it and gointo detail about it.
I mean, there are a lot ofthose times that I would have
(06:01):
preferred not to have thoughtabout again, but I thought it
important to get it down onpaper.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Sure sure.
What was your strength?
Where did you find yourstrength to help you get through
those incredibly challengingtimes?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Well, I was very fortunate that my family every
step of the way.
Excuse me, I'm having a littleproblems with my voice at the
moment.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
No, you take your time.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Can you make another turn?
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Excuse me, no, you're fine, you take your time.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
I was very fortunate that my family was very
supportive, helped me every stepof the way and basically
assured me that they would actas my arms and legs to make sure
I could do everything that Iwanted to do in my life, and
with their help and support Iwas able to go back to college,
complete my education, actuallygo and work and eventually get
(07:04):
married and become the father ofsome incredible sons.
I have three beautiful sons youhave triplets.
I have triplets.
They're now 20 years old andthrough the inspiration that I
got from seeing them and fromthe help of my incredible wife,
(07:25):
as well as the rest of my family, I received a lot of
encouragement to go on and dowhat I was doing.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Yes, and you've done so much.
And before we started recording, I had the honor of meeting
your wife, anna, for just asplit second.
She seems amazing.
She just seems so amazing.
And I want to take a momentbecause I am not only I'm
special needs, but I'm also amom to a beautiful young lady
who's special needs, and I knowhow it is to be a caregiver.
(07:52):
So hats off to her, becauseit's a big thing and you can
tell she does it with love.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Thank you Absolutely, and I was so fortunate to have
met Anna and we got marriedactually way back in 2003.
So we're married more than 21years now.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
What's the secret?
Speaker 2 (08:13):
When we got married, anna indicated that she wanted
to have my baby Now.
At this time that really seemedimpossible.
I had been paralyzed for morethan 30 years at that time and I
was already in my 50s.
But we researched variousoptions, including in vitro
(08:34):
fertilization, and found itstill may be possible for me to
father a child.
So we pursued it and, as luckand fate would have it, anna
became pregnant with triplets.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
You didn't just give her one baby, you gave her three
.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Right, and I was actually present in the delivery
room when I gave birth to mythree sons.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Can you tell us a little bit about how y'all met
and your story, because it seemsso Sure.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Well, you know, I need help in all of my
activities of daily living.
So what I usually do is I put anad in the newspaper to be able
to meet and then hire a personalcare attendant, and over the
years I've had some females, youknow, respond to the ad and do
(09:25):
the job.
But it's very difficult for afemale because they need to be
able to lift me from the bed tothe wheelchair.
So I found females need to benot only strong but tall to be
able to reach over thewheelchair to lift me.
And I found after a while thatI received a lot of positive
(09:45):
responses by putting an ad inthe Polish newspaper that's
published here in America.
So I put an ad in the PolishDaily News and, to my good
fortune, anna happened to bevisiting the United States at
the time, saw the ad, respondedand even though she had never
done this kind of work before,she seemed like the perfect
(10:09):
candidate and I was fortunate tohave made the right decision to
have hired Anna.
And the more we got togetherand got to know each other, our
relationship grew and progressed.
Ana had actually been here inAmerica to improve her skills
speaking English and she feltworking with me may help her
(10:33):
improve her English speakingskills.
So it kind of worked out wellfor both of us.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Sure, and she was absolutely beautiful, I'm sure,
absolutely Stunning now, I'msure.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Absolutely Stunning.
Now she still is Absolutelystunning, absolutely beautiful.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
So you dated, kind of sort of, and then you popped
the question how long aftermeeting her did you ask her?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Well, that's an interesting story.
Well, that's an interestingstory If you know a little bit
more.
It was actually Anna proposedto me.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
What.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Yeah, incredible stopped for a brief period of
time and Ana started seeinganother individual and we missed
each other and decided weworked real well together and I
was fortunate.
Ana came back and the more wegot to know each other and spend
(11:34):
time with each other, we knewwe were right for each other.
But I thought I would never getmarried.
I thought it may not be fair tothe woman to be married to
somebody with my limitations,but Anna was very well aware
what they was and she helpedtake care of me for quite a
period of time.
So we met in 1969.
(11:59):
No, 1969.
No, no.
Ada just said no.
I thought we met in 1969.
Well, actually the end of 1968,we met and no, I'm sorry, 1999,
not 69.
1999.
(12:20):
Ada was born in 69.
We met in 1999.
And we got engaged in 2001.
So we met in 1999, got engagedin 2001.
So by then we knew each otherreally, really well.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Of course, absolutely .
Wow, she sounds like such aninspiration for you she really
is.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
She really is.
She encourages me and inspiresme every day with all that she
does yes, and she sounds likesuch a sweet person she's the
best oh, I love that.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
I love that.
I love that.
I love that.
All right, so after thishorrific injury, your specific
mind, your mindset shift and nowyou help other people with
disabilities in so many ways,you help them do so many things.
Can you kind of like tell me alittle bit about what you're
(13:16):
doing and how you're helpingother people like you and I that
are going through challenges?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Sure.
Well, I indicated, I went backto school following my injury
and while I completed myeducation in industrial
engineering, which I wasstudying at the time, I got hurt
.
Following my graduation, whileI was still at school, I took an
elective in psychology and mypsychology professor, a person
by the name of Dr James Moss,took an interest in me and
(13:51):
encouraged me to pursue a careerin counseling.
And through his encouragement,following my graduation I stayed
at Cornell and earned amaster's degree in counseling
and student personneladministration.
And then, to increase mycounseling credentials, I went
to Columbia University where Iearned my second graduate degree
(14:16):
.
This one was a degree inpsychological counseling and
rehabilitation.
And now that I had two degreesfrom Cornell, one from Columbia,
three prestigious Ivy Leaguedegrees, two master's degrees, I
thought I shouldn't have toomuch difficulty securing
employment.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Yeah, I wouldn't think so.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
To my dismay, no one would hire me.
This was in the mid 1970s.
I looked for a job for a year.
I sent out more than 200resumes and I was even turned
down when I off to volunteer myservices, because back then it
seemed like everyone felt I wasjust too disabled to work, felt
(15:06):
I was just too disabled to workand I was fortunate that I met
an individual by the name of DrHemi Viscardi Jr here on Long
Island, new York, who hired meto work as vocational
rehabilitation counselor to helpother individuals who had
severe disabilities.
So he hired me to work at acompany he started called
(15:26):
Abilities Incorporated, which ispart of what's now called the
Viscardi Center, and through hishelp and encouragement I went
to work as a vocationalrehabilitation counselor and I
absolutely loved the work, lovedthe facility and loved what
(15:47):
everybody was doing there.
So I was really fortunate to bein contact with him and to be
hired by him.
So during my work there, myresponsibilities kept expanding.
My responsibilities keptexpanding and one of my duties
(16:08):
was to speak at conferencesbefore groups and organizations
concerning affirmative actionand non-discrimination for
people with disabilities, andoften after my talks I would be
asked questions and while Iwould certainly do my best to
answer those questions.
I was always careful to cautionthe questioners.
They should really consult witha lawyer about their concerns.
(16:28):
And I guess it wasn't longbefore I started to think you
know, there's no reason why Icouldn't become that lawyer.
So I actually left my job andwent to Hofstra University
School of Law and pursued acareer in law.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Wow, that's amazing.
That's amazing.
So what is life like for Kennow?
What do you do now?
So, what is life like for Kennow?
Speaker 2 (16:55):
What do you do now?
Well, you know I worked,following law school, as a
Nassau County Assistant DistrictAttorney.
Oh, I was a prosecutor and Iloved that job.
But while I was doing that, Ihad also been asked to be a
member of the Viscardi Center'sBoard of Directors, where I
previously worked, and I was sopleased that, you know, they
(17:20):
invited me to be on their Boardof Directors and to continue
advocating for people withdisabilities.
And, you know, advocate forpeople with disabilities and try
, and, you know, show employersthat people with disabilities
can not only work but work welland become some of the best
(17:43):
employees and most loyalemployees that an employer can
ever hope to find.
So I worked for the districtattorney's office for more than
40 years.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
But I'm now fully retired and still active in the
Viscardi Center on their boardof directors.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Good for you.
Good for you.
Why do you think so manycompanies I mean there's
countless companies, because Isee it all the time too that are
so hesitant in opening up andgiving opportunities to people
who have challenges?
Speaker 2 (18:16):
You know, I think for one they're afraid of the
unknown.
A lot of these individuals havenever spent time, spent much
time with people withdisabilities, and they're afraid
of what they see physicallyabout a person, that they just
(18:39):
assume a person cannot docertain things that they feel
are important for the job.
And it's those assumptions thatare so limited.
Because somebody has adisability, whether it be
physical or intellectual,doesn't mean that they're
totally disabled.
There's usually an awful lot ofability in those people and in
fact that was one of the reasonswhy Dr Viscardi Jr named the
(19:02):
company he started, abilitiesIncorporated, because, even
though it catered to people withdisabilities, he wanted to
emphasize the abilities thatpeople have.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
That's such a fantastic name.
I love that.
That's fantastic.
What can we do to open theireyes, to let them see that we
are worth taking that chance on,because we are the most loyal,
we understand and we'll workharder than most people do.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
You know, it's getting more and more
frustrating now that there aresome people that seem to think
diversity, equity and inclusionis not a good thing.
Right, and I'm here to say DEI,diversity, equity, inclusion is
an incredibly positive thingthat helps so many people, so
(19:55):
many people.
And, I might add, at thedistrict attorney's office, you
know, when you leave the job,you go what they call an exit
interview, where you tell thepersonnel director what you
found best about the job, whatyou liked the most and what you
thought could be improved.
And I'm so happy and proud tosay that on a number of
occasions, a number of my fellowassistant district attorneys
(20:15):
said that they found the bestpart of their job was meeting,
working with and getting to knowme.
And the reason why I say thatis because what they're actually
referring to is meeting,getting to know and working with
on a daily basis someone with adisability, because unless they
(20:35):
grew up with somebody with adisability or had a close
relative with a disability, theyrarely came in contact with
somebody on a daily basis whohad a disability, and for many
it was a revelation that for one, we're no different than
anybody else.
Two that we're hard workers andthat it didn't mean additional
(20:56):
work to them, and I felt so goodto hear that.
And in fact, I might add, twoyears ago the district attorney
actually started an award in ouroffice, called the Kenneth J
Kunkin Award, that they give outto the outstanding assistant
district attorney each year whobest exemplifies the work ethic
(21:21):
of the person in a wheelchairRight, the person that worked
with them, that had a disability.
That is who they chose to honornow, and it's the only annual
award they give out.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
I love that I love that and you know we do fight so
hard because you think about it.
I mean our resilience.
We are such fighters, we gothrough so much and that's why
we take not one thing forgranted, because you know, those
moments are so amazing.
What an honor.
Congratulations for that.
That is so well deserved andamazing.
I've only known you for alittle bit and I'm just like I
(21:56):
can understand why that would bean option to provide to
somebody on a yearly basis,because you're amazing and
people don't take the time.
There's so many judgmentalpeople that just will look at
you on the outside and amazingand immediately just judge you.
Like people look at me andthey're like, oh, you have scars
everywhere and you don't havean arm and you don't have
(22:17):
hearing, and you, you know allof this and it's just why are
you so judgmental, right?
But then the other day I was inCostco and Two Lanes Over was a
beautiful couple signing and Ihave not signed in a long time
because now I'm learning to doit one-handed, but I was fluent
and so I signed Hi nice to meetyou and we engaged in this
(22:39):
beautiful communication betweenthe two of us and I noticed
people were starting to watch usand it's like, why are people
so quick to just be sosuperficial, to judge the
outside without trying to get toknow who we are on the inside?
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Absolutely, and you know what.
What really helps is the morepeople interact with somebody
with a disability, the moretheir attitudes change, and I
can't say enough about theimpact the Americans with
Disabilities Act has had.
That came about 1990 and startedto be implemented in 1992 with
its rules and regulations.
I had the added misfortune ofbeing injured 20 years before
(23:24):
that act took place.
So back then, before that act,you didn't see a lot of people
with disabilities out in publicbecause at least people in
wheelchairs could not get around.
You couldn't get up steps intobuildings or up and down curbs
to cross streets.
And what a difference that acthas made in so many people's
(23:48):
lives.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Yes, so give us a little insight, because as soon
as we are finished, I'm going togo order your book.
About the book what is it about?
Tell us about the ins and outsof it.
Give us a little inside scoop.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Well, you know, I felt like I'd been told for so
many times, so many years, thatthere are things that I cannot
do because of my disability, andI was determined to prove them
wrong of my disability.
And I was determined to provethem wrong.
When I went back to Cornell,there was not one ramp or curb
(24:24):
cut on the entire campus.
My first day of classes I hadto be either pulled up or
bounced down close to 100 stepsjust to attend my first day.
But I was determined to make itwork and, through the help of
personal care attendants, myfamily and fellow classmates, I
became the first quadriplegic tograduate from Cornell
University.
(24:45):
I then became the firstquadriplegic to earn a graduate
degree at Cornell University.
And you know, just to jumpahead, I had difficulty getting
that job even after getting allthose degrees.
And I might add, even back thenI was looking for a job to be a
(25:05):
rehab counselor.
Even people in the rehabcommunity seemed hesitant to
hire somebody with my disabilityand it's taken a while to show
people how much people withdisabilities can actually do.
And you know, it was incredible.
(25:27):
When I first started working atthe Viscardi Center in 1977, I
was named the Long IslandRehabilitation Association's
Rehabilitant of the Year and itwas a very wonderful honor that
I was bestowed.
But at the awards ceremony Ireceived a standing ovation from
(25:49):
about 250 rehab personnel whowere really the same rehab
personnel who a few monthsearlier were too hesitant to
hire me to work for their ownorganizations.
And I think a lot needs to besaid about that, that there's so
much people can do andsometimes you need to be the
(26:11):
first to do something and notwait for somebody else to take
the initiative and make thefirst move before you have
enough courage and confidence inyourself to say it's just the
right thing to do.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Yes, you're just such a motivational speaker.
You're amazing.
It's amazing.
I've moved mountains when I waslike I'm going to tie my shoes,
and I tie my shoe one handed,you know, and my husband laughs
at me because I'll take a nailand a hook and a hammer and I'll
hammer that into the wall andI'll hang a picture and he's
just like you've got to bekidding and I'm like I'm going
(26:47):
to do it.
I'm not, you know, I've had twohands and now I only have one
and I'm learning, but I'm goingto do it and you have that
mentality.
That is what is soinspirational to me.
That makes me want to do evenmore.
And you just don't quit.
How do you keep that suchpositive light about you?
And I'm sure the beautiful handon the side helps tremendously.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
It sure does, and so do my kids.
But I might add that myextended family has helped me
every step of the way.
I mean, they basically assuredme they'd act as my arms and
legs to make sure I could doeverything I wanted to do in
life.
And it got to the point wherethey were doing so much for me I
thought I'd be letting themdown and disappointing them if I
(27:30):
didn't do everything I possiblycould do with my life.
But what's so frustrating is,despite obstacles, sometimes
things are made even moredifficult for no reason, and
that's why I emphasize againwhat a difference the Americans
with Disabilities Act has made.
Just to tell you a little bitabout my career in law, I was
(27:53):
able to graduate law school inthe standard three-year time
period.
I passed a very difficult NewYork State bar exam the first
time that I took it.
I began my work in the districtattorney's office by
participating in a veryintensive four-week training
program where they taught us allaspects of trial techniques
(28:13):
from a prosecutor's perspective,and I was so proud to go to
court my first day only to findI couldn't fit through the
swinging doorways in thecourtroom to get to the
prosecutor's table.
So those are obstacles that youhave to ask yourself why were
they ever obstacles?
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Right.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
And they were so easy to remove and change things to
make it accessible for everyone.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
Yes, ken, let me ask you on the moments and we all
have them where you just aren'tat your highest peak, where
you're kind of feeling like, oh,this is just frustrating and
annoying.
What kind of tips of adviceespecially from a man, because
obviously I'm a female and somany times I get to work with
men and they ask me but from amale perspective, what kind of
(29:03):
inspiration or frustrationaltechniques do you use that that
others can use?
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Well, one of them obviously is just looking at my
family, my wife and my kids.
Well, one of them, obviously, isjust looking at my family, my
wife and my kids.
I see how wonderful they are,how they're working so hard to
make their lives successful,productive, rewarding and to
help others.
You know all of them want to dotheir best to help others, and
when I see that in them thatinspires me to do more with my
(29:33):
life, see that in them thatinspires me to do more with my
life.
And when I think about thechallenges out there, I also
think about all the wonderfulpeople that are out there that
want to help.
Sometimes they just don't knowthe best way of going about it,
but I know most people arereally good people that want to
help and taking advantage ofthat is a wonderful position to
(29:58):
be in, where you have theopportunity to now help others.
And when I originally got myjob as a rehab counselor, that
was the first opportunity that Ireally had to help others.
After years and years of beinga recipient of so much help, now
I was able to help others andpay back, you know, with thanks
(30:21):
and the work that I was doing,and it's such a great feeling to
be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
Yes, absolutely Absolutely.
What inspiration advice wouldyou give to someone who's just
starting out going throughanything that's been a life
altering challenge for them,whether it's?
You know, I, when I hear theword impossible, I like to just
change it.
I'm possible because there'snothing we can't do.
(30:47):
We just take a differentjourney.
We take a different path, andyou know what those less
traveled are more beautifulRight, and you know what those
less traveled are more beautifulright.
So if you're seeing somebodyfor the first time that is just
starting the rehab process, whatwords of advice do you have for
them?
Speaker 2 (31:01):
Well, it's similar to what you just said.
Just because it may seemimpossible doesn't mean it is.
I mean, it's only impossibleuntil you actually do it.
And not to listen to thenaysayers.
Don't listen to the people whotell you that you can't do
something or it's just toodifficult.
What's important is how youfeel about yourself and what you
(31:23):
believe you can do, and it's soimportant to keep your spirits
up and your self-esteem and yourself-confidence up and to
believe in yourself.
Right, and you know, when youare faced with challenges, it's
so important to take them headon.
(31:45):
I believe it's important toparticipate in activities, not
just sit back on the sidelineswaiting for something to happen
or waiting for something to begiven to you.
It's important for you to facechallenges, handle them head on,
participate in as manyactivities as you can and make
(32:08):
something of your life.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
So now you're retired , good for you.
What is retirement going toinvolve?
So now you're retired.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Good for you.
What is retirement going toinvolve?
Well, retirement right now isinvolving still advocating for
people with disabilities.
I am also involved on theCornell University Council,
where I've been proud andhonored to accept being a member
of that council.
I'm serving on the ViscardiCenter Board of Directors.
(32:35):
I've been involved in being aguest on many different podcasts
.
Now I've been a guest on morethan 60 podcasts where I want to
share my story and advocate forpeople with disabilities and,
in addition, I'm trying to bethe best husband and father I
(32:56):
could possibly be.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Now, I know some amazing people who would love to
have you on their podcast.
Am I allowed to like send youtheir way as well?
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Oh, there's some fabulous people that would just
love and be honored to have youAbsolutely.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
Absolutely.
Where can we find your book?
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Okay, well, they can go to my website, which is
kenkunkincom, and that'll tell anumber of different ways that
they could get my book.
I mean, the most obvious way isto go on Amazon, where it's
listed.
It's also listed on the CornellUniversity website, but if they
go on my website, kenkunkencom,that will give additional ways
(33:38):
as well.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
Well, I cannot thank you enough for your time today.
I want to thank Anna she'samazing and just give her a
virtual hug, because I know howimportant she is in this entire
equation, and if there's everanything that I can do to help
when you are advocating, I wouldbe honored to stand beside you
and help you any way that Ipossibly can.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Thank you so much and thank you for having me a guest
on your podcast.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
Absolutely.
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