Wheelchair User Has Traveled to 25 Countries, Reveals Biggest Challenge Faced on Every Trip (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

Cory Lee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age two

The diagnosis is a degenerative disease that gradually weakens muscles

But Lee, now 35, refused to be defined by his diagnosis. Instead, he turned to the world and began traveling

Cory Lee has traveled to more than 50 countries, paraglided in Switzerland and spends nearly half the year on the road, but it all started with a school field trip he almost didn’t get to take.

In fifth grade, his classmates boarded the bus while Lee was told he couldn’t go because the bus wasn’t wheelchair accessible. His mom immediately went to the school and insisted that answer wasn’t acceptable. They finally arranged an accessible bus.

“My mom always told me my disability wasn’t a hindrance,” Lee, who lives in Georgia, tells P