From Scalpel to Struggle: Paul Kalanithi’s Journey through the Lens of Disability

Paul Kalanithi’s memoir When Breath Becomes Air is a profound autopathography—a self-reflective narrative on his life, career, and battle with terminal lung cancer. This paper examines Kalanithi’s journey through the lens of disability studies, exploring how his narrative challenges and enriches theoretical frameworks related to identity, embodiment, temporality, and societal perceptions of disability. Through his dual perspective as a neurosurgeon and a patient, Kalanithi provides invaluable insights into the intersections of illness, disability, and resilience. His autopathography underscores the need for a broader understanding of disability that transcends physical impairments and considers the lived experiences of chronic illness and terminal conditions. This paper investigates how Kalanithi’s memoir aligns with and contributes to core disability studies principles, offering new perspectives on agency, interdependence, and the narratives of illness.