14 Quotes That Inspire Me as a Disability Advocate
This year will be my eighth year as a disability advocate. During that time I’ve received accreditation as a national speaker, worked on several autism-related films and written two best-selling books. I was diagnosed with autism when I was 4. Looking back, I could tell you I never saw advocating as something I’d be doing today as an adult.
On this road, I’ve seen so many beautiful quotes from members of our community. On my tougher days, these words have inspired me; they’ve reminded me that what we’re doing as advocates is making a difference.
Last night I took out a piece of paper and wrote out a few of my favorites that I wanted to share.
- “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!” — Dr. Seuss
- “Autism can’t define me. I define autism.” — Kerry Magro (me!)
- “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” — Maya Angelou
- “Normal is just a dryer setting.” — Patsy Clairmont
- “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” — Scott Hamilton
- “I’m great at several things and broken in none.” — Kerry Magro
- “My ability is stronger than my disability.” — Luke Watson
- “When you have a disability, knowing that you are not defined by it is the sweetest feeling.” — Anne Wafula Strike
- “Autism is not a disease, rather a disability that every day I strive to become an A-bility.” — Kerry Magro
- “I am different, not less.” — Temple Grandin
- “If someone calls you ‘awkward,’ just know that it means you’re unique”and a lot better than ordinary.” — Kerry Magro
- “Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone.” — Martina Navratilova
- “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” — Stephen Shore
- “Attacking people with disabilities is the lowest display of power I can think of.” — Morgan Freeman
What quotes would you add to this list? Please share your favorites in the comments!
Kerry Magro is an award-winning professional speaker, best-selling author, autism advocate and consultant who is on the autism spectrum. A recent Masters graduate from Seton Hall University, he currently is CEO and Founder of KFM Making a Difference, a non-profit corporation focused on disability advocacy and housing. In 2012, Kerry consulted for the major motion picture “Joyful Noise” starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton. You can follow Kerry at www.kerrymagro.com, via Facebook at Facebook.com/Kerrymagro and/or on Twitter @Kerrymagro.
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