It is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide have a disability. That number is really huge — in fact, it’s about 15 percent of the entire world population. Have you wondered if this significant population is recognised or at least celebrated in some way? Interestingly, every year, the 3rd of December has been selected as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The date is set out to advocate for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. In addition, several activities that mark the day include creating awareness of the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of disability that affect people around the world.
In support of World Disability Day, we have compiled some of the best world disability day quotes. You can celebrate this day by sharing some of these quotes and remind people that the power of the human spirit is one of ability, perseverance, and courage that no disability can steal away.
Best Quotes
· “Today, I choose life. Every morning when I wake up, I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain… To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices – today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.” – Kevyn Aucoin
· “When you hear the word ‘disabled,’ people immediately think about people who can’t walk or talk or do everything that people take for granted. Now, I take nothing for granted. But I find the real disability is people who can’t find joy in life and are bitter.” – Teri Garr
· “I do not have a disability; I have a gift! Others may see it as a disability, but I see it as a challenge. This challenge is a gift because I have to become stronger to get around it, and smarter to figure out how to use it; others should be so lucky.” – Shane E. Bryan
· “When you focus on someone’s disability, you’ll overlook their abilities, beauty, and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally.” – Yvonne Pierre
· “Disability is natural. We must stop believing that disabilities keep a person from doing something. Because that’s not true . . . Having a disability doesn’t stop me from doing anything.” – Benjamin Snow
· “I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and 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
· “….What I learned was that these athletes were not disabled; they were super-abled. The Olympics is where heroes are made. The Paralympics is where heroes come.” – Joey Reiman
· “Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled.” – Khang Kijarro Nguyen
· “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.” – Stephen Hawking
· “Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone.” – Martina Navratilova
· “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi
· “For me, disability is a way of getting some extremity, some kind of very difficult situation, that throws an interesting light on people.” – Mark Haddon
· “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve
· “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” – Muhammad Ali
· “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
· “Your success and happiness lie in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” –Helen Keller
· “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” –Jimmy Dean
· “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” –Theodore Roosevelt
· “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” –Walt Whitman
· “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” ―Helen Keller
· “I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and 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
· “I choose not to place ‘DIS,’ in my ability.” ― Robert M. Hensel
· “Life is all about balance. Since I have only one leg, I understand that well.”― Sandy Fussell, Shaolin Tiger
· “Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.” ― Unknown
· “Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled.” ― Khang Kijarro Nguyen
· “The measure of a man, or woman, is not so much what they have accomplished, though that has weight. It often is much more though what that man or woman has overcome to accomplish what they have.” ― Leif Gregersen, Through The Withering Storm
· “I do not have a disability; I have a gift! Others may see it as a disability, but I see it as a challenge. This challenge is a gift because I have to become stronger to get around it, and smarter to figure out how to use it; others should be so lucky.” ― Shane E. Bryan
· “Some would look at Emily’s life and think that a child born with Down’s syndrome has little hope for a meaningful life. Throw in the diagnosis of leukemia, and that little hope turns into no hope whatsoever. I disagree. Emily’s life, with all its imperfections, had great meaning. Because of how many people she touched, I realize that we are far more than we can accomplish. We are the very thumbprints of God.” ― Matt Patterson
· “Whether someone is useful only matters if you value people by their use.” ― Corinne Duyvis, On the Edge of Gone
· “When you focus on someone’s disability, you’ll overlook their abilities, beauty, and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally.” ― Yvonne Pierre, The Day My Soul Cried: A Memoir
· “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
Final thoughts
Putting it all together, International Day of Persons with Disabilities is always a good reminder to make this world a better place for people with disabilities. It brings a strong consciousness that we are all equal, and as such, we ought to be treated equally. A disability is never an indication of any form of weakness. Let us get that straight. Disabled people deserve to be respected and loved. Let us be more responsible and aware of people with disabilities. You can start by sharing the quotes with them today!