--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was while I was in the mental hospital…" description: "\"It was while I was in the mental hospital that I got my letter from the British Olympic Association saying, 'Congratulations. You've been picked to go ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c8/eddie-the-eagle-5840_british_it-was-while-i-was-in-the-mental-hospita_141118.jpg" --- # It was while I was in the mental hospital that I got my… ![“It was while I was in the mental hospital that I got my letter from the British Olympic Association saying, 'Congratulations. You've been picked to go to the Olympic Games.' I kept stressing I wasn't a patient.” quote by Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c8/eddie-the-eagle-5840_british_it-was-while-i-was-in-the-mental-hospita_141118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c8/eddie-the-eagle-5840_british_it-was-while-i-was-in-the-mental-hospita_141118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c8/eddie-the-eagle-5840_british_it-was-while-i-was-in-the-mental-hospita_141118.jpg) > “It was while I was in the mental hospital that I got my letter from the British Olympic Association saying, 'Congratulations. You've been picked to go to the Olympic Games.' I kept stressing I wasn't a patient.” [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Despite institutional stigma, personal achievement (Olympic selection) validates identity beyond mental health labels. **In simple terms:** Success proves worth beyond mental health labels. Key Takeaway Celebrate achievements regardless of mental health status. Themes mental health achievement identity stigma recognition Mood inspired defiant hopeful Type motivational advocacy When to use this quote - sports - career advancement - public speaking Key Concepts self‑esteem social validation resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can society better support mental health achievements? - What narratives change perception? A Different Perspective Stigma may still affect opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Hospital](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hospital/) [Olympic games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympic-games/) [Olympics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) ## Related quotes > [The FIS, BSF, and British Olympic Association have been trying to stop me competing internationally. They don't like the fact that I laugh and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/the-fis-bsf-and-british-olympic-association-have-been-trying-to-stop/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I'm pretty proud of having completed a marathon myself, so I can only imagine the pride that real athletes feel when they are picked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-lamont/i-m-pretty-proud-of-having-completed-a-marathon-myself-so-i-can-only/) [Johann Lamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-lamont/) > [Getting to the Olympic Games was my gold medal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/getting-to-the-olympic-games-was-my-gold-medal/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [Most people should be given a chance to compete in the Olympic Games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/most-people-should-be-given-a-chance-to-compete-in-the-olympic-games/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [If you are in your sport for your country, you should be able to go to the Olympic Games and represent your sport for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/if-you-are-in-your-sport-for-your-country-you-should-be-able-to-go-to/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [It had been a dream of mine to go to an Olympic Games since I was about seven years old. I didn't know I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/it-had-been-a-dream-of-mine-to-go-to-an-olympic-games-since-i-was/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I got a letter from this lady of Russian and Jewish descent. She asked me if I was a racist because I didn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-louis-gates/i-got-a-letter-from-this-lady-of-russian-and-jewish-descent-she-asked/) [Henry Louis Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-louis-gates/) > [I've got a letter from the Dalai Lama at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ashcroft/i-ve-got-a-letter-from-the-dalai-lama-at-home/) [Richard Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ashcroft/) > [The day I got my first letter from a fan, I felt like I'd been touched by an angel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/the-day-i-got-my-first-letter-from-a-fan-i-felt-like-i-d-been-touched/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [Once I got a letter from a doctor and I had to go out into the street and ask someone what it said because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-blades/once-i-got-a-letter-from-a-doctor-and-i-had-to-go-out-into-the-street/) [Jay Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-blades/) > [“WHEN WE GOT THE LETTER in the post, my mother was ecstatic. She had already decided that all our”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/when-we-got-the-letter-in-the-post-my-mother-was-ecstatic-she-had/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [I have got this letter which actually goes out the day after I die. It has already been written. And it says that: "Yesterday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-have-got-this-letter-which-actually-goes-out-the-day-after-i-die-it/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I got a letter from the IRS. Apparently I owe them $800. So I sent them a letter back. I said, If you'll remember,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emo-philips/i-got-a-letter-from-the-irs-apparently-i-owe-them-800-so-i-sent-them/) [Emo Philips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emo-philips/) > [You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed. "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid-we know we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-haven-t-got-a-letter-on-yours-george-observed-i-suppose-she/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you have to write a letter, you're automatically put into a state of composure and a kind of formality. You can't help it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justine-bateman/when-you-have-to-write-a-letter-you-re-automatically-put-into-a-state/) [Justine Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justine-bateman/) ## More by Eddie the Eagle > [A lot of people think I'm really outgoing and confident, but I'm not. I'd much rather sit in a corner and read my book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-really-outgoing-and-confident-but-i-m-not-i/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [Most people should be given a chance to compete in the Olympic Games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/most-people-should-be-given-a-chance-to-compete-in-the-olympic-games/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I want my life to move on. On the other hand, I can't say no to offers, not when I'm getting £50,000 a year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-want-my-life-to-move-on-on-the-other-hand-i-can-t-say-no-to-offers/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [You can't have Alan Partridge as Eddie the Eagle!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/you-can-t-have-alan-partridge-as-eddie-the-eagle/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [On the street, I'll hear, 'You made the Olympics for me,' or 'I love what you represented.' Only occasionally is it, 'You were a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/on-the-street-i-ll-hear-you-made-the-olympics-for-me-or-i-love-what/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I'm a positive person who likes to have fun and get the best out of every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-m-a-positive-person-who-likes-to-have-fun-and-get-the-best-out-of/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I have never, ever considered myself a failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-have-never-ever-considered-myself-a-failure/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [You've got to think life can give you some bad knocks; no matter how hard you're knocked, you've got to get up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/you-ve-got-to-think-life-can-give-you-some-bad-knocks-no-matter-how/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [Life is good, and I'm happy, and I don't know that it would be as good if I'd been the winner in Calgary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/life-is-good-and-i-m-happy-and-i-don-t-know-that-it-would-be-as-good/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I've hated poetry ever since I was at school. I include Shakespeare in that. I don't understand the obsession with him!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-ve-hated-poetry-ever-since-i-was-at-school-i-include-shakespeare-in/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I don't like bullies or selfishness or people who are grumpy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-don-t-like-bullies-or-selfishness-or-people-who-are-grumpy/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I can't explain my popularity. I suppose I'm just an ordinary bloke, and a lot of people see a little bit of Eddie in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-can-t-explain-my-popularity-i-suppose-i-m-just-an-ordinary-bloke/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [My dentist said my teeth were wearing away at the back because I couldn't bite. My top jaw was broken and brought forward, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/my-dentist-said-my-teeth-were-wearing-away-at-the-back-because-i/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [When people make fun, it doesn't bother me. I've always enjoyed a laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/when-people-make-fun-it-doesn-t-bother-me-i-ve-always-enjoyed-a-laugh/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I actually had huge problems with my glasses steaming up all the time. I had to train very carefully around the limitations caused by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/i-actually-had-huge-problems-with-my-glasses-steaming-up-all-the-time/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) [Explore all 100 Eddie the Eagle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) ## More British quotes > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [I always wanted to make a 'James Bond' film, and they only seemed to hire British directors, and I'd made 'Swingers' - they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-always-wanted-to-make-a-james-bond-film-and-they-only-seemed-to/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [Somebody said that part of my reaction to British cinema is actually, paradoxically, a patriotic one. I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/) [Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/) > [All the cliches of glamorous sophistication have little appeal to me. Do I want to live the British version of 'Dynasty?' No thanks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/all-the-cliches-of-glamorous-sophistication-have-little-appeal-to-me/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/) [Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/) > [Although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-i-don-t-have-anything-against-people-from-other-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [While we like to think queueing is unique to British culture, the truth is that we are mere amateurs. The old Soviet Union turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hartley-brewer/while-we-like-to-think-queueing-is-unique-to-british-culture-the/) [Julia Hartley-Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hartley-brewer/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The whole nuclear-arms-control and non-proliferation policy of the nuclear powers is a fraud: The Americans could not prevent the Soviets from replicating their weaponry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/the-whole-nuclear-arms-control-and-non-proliferation-policy-of-the/) [Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/) > [There just seems to be more acceptance now of other kinds of British films, than the picture-postcard ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-roth/there-just-seems-to-be-more-acceptance-now-of-other-kinds-of-british/) [Tim Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-roth/) [Browse all 3,149 British quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was while I was in the mental hospital that I got my letter from the British Olympic Association saying, 'Congratulations. 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