Ken Kunken broke his neck on October 31, 1970, while making a tackle during a college football game at Cornell University. The injury severed his spinal cord, leaving him almost totally paralyzed from the shoulders down.
Ken spent more than nine months in various hospitals and rehabilitation centers undergoing treatment. In 1971, while still a patient at the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in New York City, Ken testified before the United States Senate Health Subcommittee chaired by Senator Edward Kennedy.
Ken returned to Cornell where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a Master of Arts degree in Education. He also earned a Master of Education degree in Psychology from Columbia University.
In 1977, Ken worked as a vocational/rehabilitation counselor for people with disabilities at Abilities Inc. in Albertson, New York. He became a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor and made numerous public presentations on non-discrimination, affirmative action, and employment of the disabled. Ken was named the Long Island Rehabilitation Association’s “Rehabilitant of the Year.”
In 1979, Ken was the subject of one of the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale’s nationally syndicated radio broadcasts, “The American Character.”
Ken earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1982 from Hofstra University’s School of Law. He went to work as an assistant district attorney in Nassau County, Long Island, where he eventually became a Deputy Bureau Chief of the County Court Trial Bureau.
In 1996, Ken received the Honorable Thomas E. Ryan Jr. Award presented by the Court Officers Benevolent Association of Nassau County for outstanding and dedicated service as an assistant district attorney. In 1999, Ken was awarded the George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award presented by the Hofstra Alumni Association Inc.
In 2009, Ken became a member of the Board of Directors of Abilities Inc., and in 2017, he became a member of the Board of Directors for the parent company of Abilities Inc., the Viscardi Center.
Beginning in 2005, for eight consecutive years, The Ken Kunken Most Valuable Player Award was presented annually by The Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl in Saratoga Springs, New York, in recognition of Ken’s personal accomplishments, contributions to society, and extraordinary courage. In 2020 Ken was inducted into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame, as a member of the class of 2019.
In December 2023, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office established an annual award named the Kenneth J. Kunken Award, to be given to the outstanding assistant district attorney who, in the District Attorney’s words: “most personifies Ken’s unique spirit and love of trial work, his commitment and dedication to this office, his loyalty to his colleagues and his devotion to doing justice.”
In March 2024, Ken was named one of the Long Island Business News Influencers in Law.
Ken retired in 2016, but continued to work in a part-time capacity as a consultant to less-experienced attorneys in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office until the end of March 2024.
Ken continues to deliver motivational talks to a variety of groups and organizations.
Ken lives on Long Island with his wife Anna and their triplet sons: Joseph, James, and Timothy.
People talk about Ken
“I wanted to thank you for a wonderful and truly inspiring Keynote Address that you provided at our Consumer Graduation this year. It was amazingly fluid and so powerful. Your message to the graduates to create their own blessings and to be in control of their decisions and destiny was such an important one for them to hear. We greatly appreciated your willingness to provide the address, and it took on particular meaning since you worked at Abilities, Inc. with Dr. Viscardi and now after these many years, have come back to serve on our Board.”
“I know that, like myself, those in attendance found your talk to be extremely inspirational. The many obstacles both structural and professional, which you had to endure during your quest towards fulfilling the goals you had set for yourself, is testimony to your determination to, “never give up.”
Your accomplishments in life, your work, and most importantly, your family, speaks volumes of your positive outlook and your desire to never let, “the cards you have been dealt,” stand in the way of reaching your goals and aspirations.
A common theme throughout your talk, of never settling but always striving to do better, to improve ourselves, and to live life to its fullest extent are words we can all live by.
Thank you again for making our meeting a huge success.”
“Your ability to convey such an important message of believing in one self, never give up and challenge those barriers placed in front [of] individuals brought out the true meaning of what this event is meant to be.
Your life experience’s can be viewed as a true role model for others to follow and for that I am very grateful. The number of emails that I have received to date complimenting you and your family has been extraordinary.”
“I write to convey to you that I was sincerely inspired by your awesome achievements in the face of’some tremendous obstacles and difficulties which most of us may never encounter in our lifetimes. Your presentation is truly one of hope to the many Americans who may be facing some of the same difficulties you have had.”
“Ken’s story is obviously an awe-inspiring one of challenge and triumph. It is a story that few can match, but that alone is not what made the morning so special. Ken’s ability to bare his soul, the meaningful power point that ran in the background, and the way the message wrapped around our concerns over the employment issues surrounding people with disabilities captured the essence of everything that we could have hoped for. I must admit that the response to Ken’s speech was unanimously complimentary and I was told again and again that this was the best NDEAM celebration to date.”
“… presentation was phenomenal and the highpoint of the DFA. The strength of character and the mental toughness you have demonstrated is remarkable and truly inspiring.”
“You were able to speak openly about your life, your background and your profession. By speaking about your challenges and achievements, you served as an inspirational role model for our students with disabilities. Yours is truly a success story.”
“Kunken, who the MVP award of the game is named for, gave a powerful speech to both teams telling them to continue to work hard and take care of themselves and never forget to help others.”
“Our sales team was very impressed with your outstanding presentation. You provided us with valuable knowledge. Thank you for setting such a great example for so many.”
