From camel riding in the Sahara Desert to paragliding over the Swiss Alps, Cory Lee has refused to let his physical disability prevent him from exploring the world's wonders. The 35-year-old from Georgia has visited an impressive 55 countries across all seven continents, demonstrating that wheelchair use doesn't have to limit life's adventures.
Early Diagnosis and Determined Spirit
Cory was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at just two years old, a degenerative condition that gradually weakens muscles over time. By age four, he had lost the ability to walk and began using a power wheelchair. Despite these early challenges, Cory told the Daily Mail that he "knew from an early age" he wouldn't let his condition restrict his ambitions.
"Many people have told me throughout my life that I couldn't do certain things because of my disability," Cory explained. "When they tell me that, I love proving them wrong."
The Travel Bug Bites
His first international trip to the Bahamas at age 15 ignited what would become a lifelong passion for exploration. "I was so excited to visit a new place, try new foods and meet the local people," he recalled. "The 'travel bug' definitely bit me on that trip."
Two decades later, his travel achievements are extraordinary. He has trekked through Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, completed an eight-day African safari, marvelled at India's Taj Mahal, and experienced countless other destinations that many would assume inaccessible to wheelchair users.
The Reality of Accessible Travel
These adventures don't come easily. Cory revealed that each journey requires meticulous planning, often beginning six to twelve months in advance for international trips. "It's challenging," he admitted. "I don't know if something will actually truly be accessible for me until I get there, so I have to make a lot of phone calls and send many emails when planning a trip."
He confessed to feeling nervous before travelling due to the "many variables that could go wrong," but emphasised that "in the end, when I'm on the trip, it's worth it."
The financial burden of accessible travel is significantly higher, a disparity Cory and the disability community refer to as the "disability tax." "It's unfair," he stated. "Accessible transportation, tours and hotels often cost more than non-accessible options."
Overcoming Travel Mishaps
His journeys haven't been without difficulties. Cory has experienced multiple incidents of wheelchair damage during flights and has arrived at hotels to find promised accessibility features non-existent.
"On my first night ever in Europe, I was in Munich and tried to charge my wheelchair with a converter and the charger blew up," he shared. "Immediately, I had to hunt down a wheelchair repair shop to purchase a new charger."
Inspiring Others Through Adventure
Through his blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee, and Instagram account with over 57,000 followers, he documents his travels to inspire both disabled and non-disabled people.
"It's absolutely incredible to be able to travel and show others, both people with and without disabilities, what is possible," he gushed. "I hope people with disabilities are inspired to break out of their comfort zone and try something new."
He also aims to educate society about accessibility's importance, noting that "disability is the one minority that anyone can join at any time." By creating accessible spaces, he argues, "you're not just helping me now. You're also potentially helping yourself in the future if you become disabled."
Cory Lee's remarkable story serves as powerful evidence that with determination and proper planning, physical limitations need not define one's horizons.
