(3 minute 30 second read)

Every once in awhile, we humans start to feel down in the dumps or maybe a little complacent with our lives. It is during those moments that we have the choice to do nothing and grow even more unhappy with our situations, or work toward self–improvement and spark a positive change. One of our favorite ways to jumpstart happier and healthier lifestyles is by reading some amazing and motivating quotes from outstanding individuals. Here are 15 of our favorite inspiring quotes for people with disabilities; we think you’ll like them too.

“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

“….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

“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 what we can accomplish. We are the very thumbprints of God.” Matt Patterson

“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

“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, Grade 8, in his essay “Attitudes About People with Disabilities”

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

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” Christopher Reeve