Amputees Quote by Aimee Mullins
“There’s an important difference and distinction between the objective medical fact of my being an amputee and the subjective societal opinion of whether or not I’m disabled. Truthfully, the only real and consistent disability I’ve had to confront is the world ever thinking that I could be described by those definitions.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: TED Talk, “The Power of Possibility,” 2013
The quote separates physical condition from social labeling, emphasizing that disability is often constructed by societal attitudes rather than bodily reality.
In simple terms: Physical condition differs from social labeling;
Challenge societal views, not your body.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- advocacy
- personal narrative
- policy discussion
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define disability for yourself?
- What can societies do to shift perceptions?
Societal attitudes can change, and personal identity may still be affected by external stigma.