He Was Denied a School Field Trip Because of His Wheelchair. Now He’s a World Traveler Facing His Biggest Hurdle Yet (Exclusive)

ATLANTA, Ga. — For Cory Lee, travel is more than a passion — it’s a lifelong mission to prove that the world is meant to be explored by everyone. The award-winning travel blogger, accessibility advocate, and wheelchair user has visited more than 25 countries, floated above the Swiss Alps on a paraglider, cruised the Amazon River, and rolled along cobblestone streets from Paris to Patagonia. But his incredible journey — one that has inspired millions across the globe — began with a single school field trip he almost didn’t get to take.

Growing up in LaFayette, Georgia, Cory was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a progressive condition that affects muscle strength and mobility. From a young age, he used a power wheelchair to get around. While his classmates often talked about future adventures and vacations, Cory’s early experiences taught him that travel wasn’t always designed for people like him.

“I remember when my second-grade class planned a trip to Disney World,” Cory recalled in a recent interview. “I was so excited, but the school told my mom they didn’t think they could accommodate a student in a wheelchair. For a while, it looked like I wouldn’t be able to go.”

His mother, determined not to let that happen, fought for him to be included. Together, they found ways to make the trip work — and it ended up being a life-changing experience.

“That trip opened my eyes,” Cory said. “It was the first time I realized how big the world really was — and that I wanted to see as much of it as possible.”

That spark of curiosity became the foundation for what would eventually become a career dedicated to accessible travel — and to breaking barriers for travelers with disabilities.

In 2013, Cory launched his now-famous travel blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee, where he documents his global adventures, offers accessibility tips, and shares candid stories about navigating the world as a wheelchair user. What started as a small blog quickly grew into an international platform, earning him a massive following, numerous awards, and recognition from outlets like National Geographic, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure.

Through his storytelling, Cory doesn’t just highlight destinations — he challenges the travel industry to do better. From accessible hotel design to adaptive adventure tourism, his advocacy has influenced major travel companies and tourism boards to rethink how they serve people with disabilities.

Over the years, Cory has explored some of the world’s most breathtaking places. He’s rolled through the cobblestoned streets of Barcelona, watched the Northern Lights in Iceland, and paraglided high above Interlaken, Switzerland, an experience he calls one of the most freeing moments of his life.

“When I was soaring through the air in Switzerland, I remember thinking about that little kid who almost didn’t get to go to Disney,” he said with a smile. “If I could tell him anything, it would be: ‘Don’t ever let anyone tell you what’s not possible.’”

Beyond his personal adventures, Cory’s work has had a profound ripple effect. He speaks at schools, conferences, and corporate events around the world, educating audiences about accessibility, inclusivity, and disability rights. He also collaborates with cities and tourism organizations to improve accessibility infrastructure, helping make the world a little more open for future travelers.

His mission, he says, is simple but powerful: to make travel accessible for everyone, regardless of ability.

“I want kids growing up with disabilities today to see that the world is for them too,” Cory explained. “That’s why I share everything — the good, the bad, and the messy parts of travel. Because if I can do it, so can they.”

Despite the challenges that come with wheelchair travel — from inaccessible airports to hotels that don’t live up to their promises — Cory remains relentlessly optimistic. His energy and determination have earned him numerous accolades, including being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and winning multiple Webby Awards for his work in travel media.

Still, for Cory, the rewards are not in the trophies or the titles — but in the messages he receives from readers who say his story inspired them to take their first trip.

“Every time someone tells me they booked a flight or went somewhere new because of something I shared, it reminds me why I do this,” he said. “Travel changes people — and everyone deserves that chance.”

Now in his early 30s, Cory continues to spend nearly half the year on the road, rolling across continents, testing accessibility at every turn, and reminding the world that adventure knows no limits.

From a little boy who almost missed a class trip to a global voice for inclusion, Cory Lee has turned what could have been a closed door into a world of open possibilities.

As he often says, quoting his own travel mantra:

“The world isn’t designed to be accessible yet — but that doesn’t mean we can’t explore it anyway.”