In sports, I refused to do any interviews that were just going to become human-interest stories. Don't turn me into a tragic heroine.
Interpretation
Aimee Mullins emphasizes the importance of authenticity and rejecting oversimplified narratives in media.
Aimee Mullins expresses her discontent with media portrayals that focus on her as a 'tragic heroine', indicating her desire to be seen as an athlete and a person rather than the subject of sentimental stories. She advocates for a more genuine representation that goes beyond superficial narratives, highlighting the complexity of her identity and experiences.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech at a sports event emphasizing individuality over stereotype.
I'm not an advocate for disability issues. Human issues are what interest me. You can't possibly speak for a diverse group of people. I don't know what it's like to be an arm amputee, or have even one flesh-and-bone leg, or to have cerebral palsy.
I've had journalists asking me, 'What do we call you - is it handicapped, are you disabled, physically challenged?' I said, 'Well hopefully you could just call me Aimee. But if you have to describe it, I'm a bilateral below-the-knee amputee.'
An athlete experiences the emotions of pain and elation through triumph and defeat, through teamwork and individuality, as nothing more than a human being...that is the true glory of sport.
I think that everyone has something about themselves that they feel is their weakness... their 'disability.' And I'm certain we all have one, because I think of a disability as being anything which undermines our belief and confidence in our own abilities.
I have learned not to overlook the advantages of being me. From when I was a softball player, and I held the stolen bases record. I would slide into second with my prostheses, and the girl on the base could either step aside or meet two wooden sticks.
I'm not an advocate for disability issues. Human issues are what interest me.
The mile has all the elements of a drama.
Once, players came to football expecting to be wealthy when they retired. Now, they expect to be wealthy before they've played their first game!
I hate casual shooting. Every shot is preceded by working to get open and catch and shoot under game like conditions
There are footballers who are very good playing on the outside but don't know what to do inside. Then there are players who are very good inside but don't have the physique, the legs, to go outside.
What's important is to get into the pitcher's head: to know what he's made of.
After almost 30 years of playing this sport, I've learned something. I've learned that, no matter what happens, or happened... or where you are, or where you've been... at the end of the day: tennis is tennis. It's always, always tennis. And there's nothing better.
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