--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think of myself as being…" description: "\"I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied.\" — Natalie du Toit" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png" --- # I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied. ![“I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied.” quote by Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png) > “I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied.” [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Disability is a social label, not a personal limitation; identity is self‑defined. **In simple terms:** Disability is a label, not a limit. Key Takeaway Define yourself beyond labels. Themes identity disability empowerment Mood inspirational determined Type motivational personal When to use this quote - sports - education - public speaking - advocacy Key Concepts social construct self‑perception inclusion Questions to Reflect On - What labels do you challenge in your life? - How can you support inclusive environments? A Different Perspective Societal attitudes can still restrict opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Able Bodied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able-bodied-328645/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Disabled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disabled/) [Disabled Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disabled-able-2624882/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Disabled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-disabled-718126/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I don't see myself as disabled. There's nothing I can't do that able-bodied athletes can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-pistorius/i-don-t-see-myself-as-disabled-there-s-nothing-i-can-t-do-that-able/) [Oscar Pistorius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-pistorius/) > [When the disabled and able-bodied worlds collide in normal life, many are unsure how to act and what to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carr/when-the-disabled-and-able-bodied-worlds-collide-in-normal-life-many/) [Liz Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carr/) > [The British people think that if someone is disabled, then they should get all the care and support that we can offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-osborne/the-british-people-think-that-if-someone-is-disabled-then-they-should/) [George Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-osborne/) > [I didn't think disabled people were allowed in films, because I didn't see any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-pearson/i-didn-t-think-disabled-people-were-allowed-in-films-because-i-didn-t/) [Adam Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-pearson/) > [It's easy to think, 'Oh I could be able-bodied,' but throughout my life I always thought, 'Yeah but I could also be even more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-jones/it-s-easy-to-think-oh-i-could-be-able-bodied-but-throughout-my-life-i/) [Rosie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-jones/) > [“Disabled people needed an inordinate amount of time to accomplish the same daily living tasks as able-bodied people-it was one of the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-shay/disabled-people-needed-an-inordinate-amount-of-time-to-accomplish-the/) [Kathryn Shay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-shay/) > [It's hard enough for disabled people to get acting jobs without able-bodied people taking them. As an actor, I know that I'm not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-blue/it-s-hard-enough-for-disabled-people-to-get-acting-jobs-without-able/) [Josh Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-blue/) > [We have the can-do factor, and us doing what we do I think inspires people to just try that little bit harder, whether they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-pearson/we-have-the-can-do-factor-and-us-doing-what-we-do-i-think-inspires/) [Lee Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-pearson/) > [The sentiment of those suggesting the Olympics and Paralympics be combined is no doubt well intentioned. But it also echoes the myth that disabled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/the-sentiment-of-those-suggesting-the-olympics-and-paralympics-be/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [My message is not just to disabled people, but to everyone: You have to work hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/my-message-is-not-just-to-disabled-people-but-to-everyone-you-have-to/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [“Dasher was able-bodied; that was part of the problem. His body was able to make hers do crazy things under his scrutiny, touch, scent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-avery/dasher-was-able-bodied-that-was-part-of-the-problem-his-body-was-able/) [Joy Avery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-avery/) > [A lot of people don't want to hire disabled actors. They think you're going to take twice as long over a shot, or they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rj-mitte/a-lot-of-people-don-t-want-to-hire-disabled-actors-they-think-you-re/) [RJ Mitte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rj-mitte/) > [My hope is to be the first disabled swimmer on an able-bodied team at the Y Nationals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-arlen/my-hope-is-to-be-the-first-disabled-swimmer-on-an-able-bodied-team-at/) [Victoria Arlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-arlen/) > [We have the best Paralympic sport in the world because of the integration with the able-bodied tour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-alcott/we-have-the-best-paralympic-sport-in-the-world-because-of-the/) [Dylan Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-alcott/) > [Down where I grew up, able-bodied people do that which we believe God created them to do. Work is a blessing; it's not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-southerland/down-where-i-grew-up-able-bodied-people-do-that-which-we-believe-god/) [Steve Southerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-southerland/) ## More by Natalie du Toit > [My parents gave me a boxer puppy as a present. I have wanted a dog for years and must first give her attention in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/my-parents-gave-me-a-boxer-puppy-as-a-present-i-have-wanted-a-dog-for/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [Going out there in the water, it feels as if there's nothing wrong with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/going-out-there-in-the-water-it-feels-as-if-there-s-nothing-wrong/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [My message is not just to disabled people, but to everyone: You have to work hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/my-message-is-not-just-to-disabled-people-but-to-everyone-you-have-to/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [I've been lucky enough to travel the world and win awards and medals, but it was time to stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-ve-been-lucky-enough-to-travel-the-world-and-win-awards-and-medals/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [I think I've achieved everything I wanted to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-think-i-ve-achieved-everything-i-wanted-to/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [It doesn't matter if you look different. You're still the same as everybody else because you have the same dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/it-doesn-t-matter-if-you-look-different-you-re-still-the-same-as/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [The situation in disability sport is growing, and girls like Ellie Cole are doing wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/the-situation-in-disability-sport-is-growing-and-girls-like-ellie/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [Back in my mind, I never, ever wanted to give up swimming; it was something that I would carry on with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/back-in-my-mind-i-never-ever-wanted-to-give-up-swimming-it-was/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [I just want to be myself and go for my own dreams and goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-just-want-to-be-myself-and-go-for-my-own-dreams-and-goals/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [I have always had a dream to take part in an Olympic Games, and losing my leg didn't change anything,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-have-always-had-a-dream-to-take-part-in-an-olympic-games-and-losing/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [If I'm able to go out there and achieve a dream, then anybody can do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/if-i-m-able-to-go-out-there-and-achieve-a-dream-then-anybody-can-do-it/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [By 9:30 at night, I go to bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/by-9-30-at-night-i-go-to-bed/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [I hate seaweed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-hate-seaweed/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [Once your dream is fulfilled you face another one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/once-your-dream-is-fulfilled-you-face-another-one/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) > [Qualifying for the Olympic Games was one of those moments where you just cry because it was like you've climbed Mount Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/qualifying-for-the-olympic-games-was-one-of-those-moments-where-you/) [Natalie du Toit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) [Explore all 30 Natalie du Toit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) [Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Natalie du Toit" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disabled-or-able-bodied/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Able" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disabled-or-able-bodied/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/natalie-du-toit-20671_able_i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disable_1327055.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied.” — Natalie du Toit", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Natalie du Toit", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-du-toit/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't think of myself as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disabled-or-able-bodied/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-du-toit/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-being-disabled-or-able-bodied/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```