The Man Who Fell Down an Elevator Shaft and Found His Purpose

Kris Duncan doesn't just inspect homes—he examines life through a lens few could imagine. As owner of Absolute Inspection Services in Northern Kentucky, Chris brings extraordinary perspective to his work, shaped by a journey that defies medical probability and showcases remarkable human resilience.

The path to becoming a home inspector wasn't straightforward for Kris. After years as a master electrician and time in the corporate world, his life took a dramatic turn when he fell down an elevator shaft while working in a commercial building. This accident led to the discovery of a brain tumor nestled between his brain stem and spinal cord. Six years of monitoring culminated in brain surgery, followed by a challenging recovery that would later serve as preparation for even greater challenges.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kris faced cascading health crises: liver failure requiring a transplant, followed by kidney failure necessitating dialysis. When searching for a kidney donor, the most unlikely match emerged—his wife Claudia, born and raised in Nicaragua, proved to be the perfect donor. This miracle, as Kris describes it, "proves we're all the same on the inside." His medical journey continued recently with surgery to remove a tumor wrapped around his spinal cord.

Throughout these extraordinary challenges, Kris maintained an unwavering faith that transformed his perspective. "Stop telling God how big your problems are and start telling your problems how big your God is," he shares, revealing the spiritual foundation of his resilience. Rather than asking "why me," Kris views each challenge as preparation for what lies ahead and focuses on finding purpose through adversity.

This profound life experience shapes how Kris approaches home inspection. He rejects the "deal killer" label sometimes applied to inspectors, focusing instead on providing objective information about safety and functionality. His goal is to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions while planning for future maintenance and repairs.

Listen to Kris's powerful story of survival, faith, and finding purpose through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His journey reminds us that with the right mindset, anything is achievable—whether facing health crises or tackling life's everyday challenges.