Real Journeys, Real Stories, Real Healing!

Kenneth Kunken

Kenneth Kunken Profile Photo

Lawyer/Author

Ken Kunken broke his neck playing football for Cornell University in 1970, leaving him almost totally paralyzed from the shoulders down. After a lengthy hospitalization, Ken returned to Cornell where he completed his undergraduate degree in engineering. Ken then earned a Master of Arts degree at Cornell in education, as well as a Master of Education degree at Columbia University in psychology.
Ken became a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor. He worked for more than two years at Abilities Inc., where he provided vocational and placement counseling to severely disabled individuals.
Wanting to accomplish still more, Ken enrolled in Hofstra University’s School of Law. Ken then worked for more than 40 years as a Nassau County assistant district attorney, where he became a Deputy Bureau Chief.
Ken is married and the father of triplet boys.
“I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Story” was published in 2023.

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Aug. 17, 2026

Paralyzed at 20… But What He Built After Will Inspire You |(feat. Ken Kunken)

Paralyzed at 20… and yet, this is not a story about loss. It’s a story about what’s still possible. In this powerful episode of Travel Time Stories with Shannon, Ann sits down with Ken Kunken—whose life changed forever during a college football game at Cornell University. A single moment left him almost completely paralyzed from the shoulders down. But what came next… is what makes this story unforgettable. Ken went on to: ✔ Return to Cornell and complete his degree ✔ Earn mult...