Growing up in a household with two wheelchairs, Kevan Chandler experienced firsthand the challenges, and the choices, that shape how a family navigates disability.
Kevan and his sister both have spinal muscular atrophy. Many parents in similar circumstances might have (justifiably, he says) closed their doors, shuttered the windows, and focused solely on survival. But Kevan’s parents chose a different path: they invited others in. They welcomed friends, neighbors, and the wider world, and they also encouraged their children to go out and engage with the world around them.
For Kevan, this openness was profound.
In their small town, it didn’t just normalize disability. It normalized asking for help and embracing the needs that everyone has. Inviting others into those needs wasn’t a weakness but was rather a natural way to build connection and community.
By the time he reached college, Kevan was carrying this lesson forward. What started as asking for help with small, everyday tasks evolved into deeper, mutual experiences of care. From simple assistance like getting ready for bed to sharing the responsibilities of a road trip, Kevan found that inviting peers into his world created friendships rooted in trust, reciprocity, and understanding.
Kevan says:
“There’s not a hierarchy. It’s not them just coming to meet my need. We’re stepping in together, and as a result, because my needs are being met, I can focus on theirs.”
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You can find more from my conversation with Kevan on on Take the Next Step: “The Hospitality of Need: Disability and Interdependence with Kevan Chandler”
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