Best Disability Motivation Quotes for Inspiration

From turning challenges into triumphs to looking on the bright side of life and finding inner strength, there is so much to be learned from disability motivation quotes. Whether you have a disability or not, we can all learn valuable life lessons from these great people who have faced all kinds of challenges and overcome.

Quotes About Positive Thinking

Optimism has far-reaching benefits for both physical and mental health, and these people have experienced the effects of positive thinking powerfully in their own lives.

“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.” —Steven Hawking

Steven Hawking was a renowned physicist who developed motor neuron disease in his 20s. He spent most of his life in a power wheelchair and used a voice generator to communicate.

For many, Hawkings was the face of disability, becoming world-famous not only for his work but for the great human spirit he showed in the face of his disability.

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” — Scott Hamilton

Scott Hamilton is an American ice skater who, due to an unknown childhood illness, didn't grow at the usual rate.

Due to several medical misdiagnoses, Scott had a fraught childhood which was improved by his participation in figure skating competitions.

At age 18, Scott started training more seriously at the Broadmoor/Colorado Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, south of Denver, and went on to win four consecutive world crowns and an Olympic gold medal.

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” — Helen Keller

Helen Keller, born in 1881, was left deaf and blind by a febrile illness at 19 months old.

A famous writer and political speaker, Helen was a pioneer for disability rights and took it upon herself to debunk society's accumulated myths about disability.

Quotes About Inner Strength 

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” — Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve was an actor who was famous for playing Superman in the 1970s and 80s.

In 1995, he was left paralyzed from the waist down after falling off a horse.

Reeve became an important high-profile advocate for research into spinal cord injuries, setting up the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation which dedicates itself to disability awareness and fundraising.

Quotes About Self-Belief

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” — Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist beset with challenges during her life.

Born with Spina bifida, affecting the growth of her legs, she also contracted polio at the age of six.

As a teenager, she was involved in a car accident that caused significant damage to her spine and pelvis.

Frida Kahlo is an inspirational example of turning difficult circumstances into something positive. Much of her work was inspired by her experiences of pain and disability.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” — Muhammad Ali

Muhammed Ali, champion boxer, developed early-onset Parkinson's at just 42 years old.

The battle against the disease became the fight of his life. Over the next 40 years, Ali raised awareness of the disease and taught us about positivity and overcoming present circumstances.

Quotes About Neurodivergence

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein

Einstein's quote teaches us that neurodivergence is a human gift that has to be nurtured.

This insight is just as pertinent today as it was then, as neurodivergence remains one of the least understood and most ignored disabilities.

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.” — Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox, star of the Back to the Future movies, developed Parkinson's at a young age.

Fox understands that people with disabilities face a brave struggle to overcome their limitations but that perseverance is the key to overcoming them.

“I can see there’s a connection between not following normal thinking and doing creative thinking. I wouldn’t have had good scientific ideas if I had thought more normally.” — John Forbes Nash Jr.

John Forbes Nash Jr. was the subject of the film A Beautiful Mind, in which we see Nash's challenges and triumphs as a brilliant mathematician struggling with paranoid schizophrenia.

Disabilities Open Minds, and Doors

“I’m officially disabled, but I’m truly enabled because of my lack of limbs. My unique challenges have opened up unique opportunities to reach so many in need.” — Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic is a motivational speaker and coach born with no arms or legs below the joints. Often humorous and self-deprecating, Vujicic's mission is to spread positivity and self-worth.

“It was probably no accident that it was the cripple Hephaestus who made ingenious machines; a normal man didn’t have to hoist or jack himself over hindrances by means of cranks, chains, and metal parts.” — Saul Bellow, The Adventures of Augie March

The experience of disability can be instructive, allowing people with disabilities to see the world through different eyes.

Humorous Quotes about Disability

“Life is all about balance. Since I have only one leg, I understand that well.” — Sandy Fussell, Shaolin Tiger

Sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Shaolin Tiger is an inspiring novel for children that shows the benefits of working together and providing mutual support.

Quotes About Overcoming Obstacles

“Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know that so it goes on flying anyway.” — Mary Kay Ash

This is a beautiful quote about how we can prove people wrong about disabilities; what is written on paper does not reflect our inner determination to make our dreams come true.

"I want people like me to see that they shouldn’t let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness—I want to turn my disability into ability.” — Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle, born slightly brain damaged, became famous on the talent show Britain's Got Talent and defied the expectations of others to become a successful singer.

Her example encourages us to celebrate differences and become a more inclusive society.

"I don't need easy. I just need possible." — Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton lost an arm in a shocking shark attack aged 13 but continued competing at a national level. Her story inspired the film Soul Surfer starring Helen Hunt. Bethany is also one of our top inspirational athletes with disabilities.

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." — Confucius

Confucius understood the importance of determination, perseverance, and self-belief no matter how great the challenge.

Quotes About Blindness

“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision.” — Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is a true example of what can be achieved with determination and grit.

Despite his blindness, Stevie Wonder learned to play the piano, harmonica, and drums by age nine and went on to become a world-famous artist.

"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." — Mark Twain

Mark Twain, while not having a disability himself, was a powerful voice in addressing injustices he saw around him.

Whether it be racism, class issues, access to education, or disability rights, Twain was an important ally to the disabled community.

“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision.” — Helen Keller

Keller was great friends with Mark Twain and may have influenced his way of seeing disability.

Quotes About Disability Inclusion

“We must be treated as equals—and communication is the way we can bring this about.” – Louis Braille

Louis Braille developed the Braille reading system for blind people.

Braille himself lost his sight at 15 in an accident, inspiring him to create the system that is still widely used today.

“My disability exists not because I use a wheelchair, but because the broader environment isn’t accessible.” — Stella Young

Stella Young is an Australian comedian and lifelong wheelchair user who uses her platform to raise awareness of issues surrounding accessibility.

“We, the ones who are challenged, need to be heard. To be seen not as a disability, but as a person who has and will continue to bloom. To be seen not only as a handicap, but as a well intact human being.” — Robert Hensel

Born with Spina bifida, Robert holds the Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop wheelchair wheelie.

Quotes on Perceptions of Disability

“The world worries about disability more than disabled people do.” — Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis is an actor who is known for his roles in Harry Potter and Star Wars. He was born with a rare bone growth disorder that results in dwarfism.

“I am different, not less.” — Dr. Temple Grandin

Dr. Mary Temple is a scientist and renowned animal behaviorist who has autism.

Dr. Temple was one of the first to document her personal experience with autism and her insights into the condition.

Why We Should All Learn from People with Disabilities

The athletes, scientists, authors, philosophers, singers, musicians, and actors we’ve quoted in this article never stopped believing in themselves, no matter how difficult certain things in life might have been. Though disability may set people on a slightly different path from what they and often their families expected, disabled people constantly strive to prove people wrong.

No matter how big or small the disability, we should all take note of the positivity shown by those with mental or physical limitations and learn that happiness lies in the small things; the ability to accomplish small tasks, to find joy in what we can do rather than what we can’t do, and ultimately, to celebrate differences and the richer culture that each diverse human gift helps to create.