I think you can do anything in this life whether you're in a wheelchair or not. I go to festivals, nightclubs, I travel the world, I'm loving my work on Triple J.
Dylan AlcottRead
When I turned on the TV or the radio, and flicked to the newspaper, I never saw anyone like me. That's what I struggled with the most. I loved Pat Rafter. I couldn't be Pat Rafter. I watched Rove McManus and I couldn't be Rove either.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the struggle of not seeing oneself represented in media and the impact it has on identity.
Dylan Alcott reflects on his experiences growing up without representation in the media, feeling a disconnect with popular figures who did not resonate with his identity. This lack of visibility made it difficult for him to relate to or aspire to be like those he admired, highlighting the importance of representation in shaping self-perception and personal aspirations.
Themes
RepresentationIdentityMediaStruggleInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on diversity, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of representation.
More from Dylan Alcott
All quotes →I don't get out of bed every day to play to win a tennis tournament, I honestly don't. I do it because I love it, but it also provides me with a platform to do what I really want: which is to continue to change the perceptions around disability.
Dylan AlcottRead
I questioned whether anyone would love me because I'm in a wheelchair.
Dylan AlcottRead
My purpose is changing perceptions so people with disability, people like me can get out there and live the lives that they deserve to live.
Dylan AlcottRead
People used to stare at me when I was growing up because I was in a wheelchair, and I hated it. Now they're staring at me because they know me. How amazing is that? It's 'Oh, that's Dylan!' Not, 'Oh, there's a guy in a wheelchair.'
Dylan AlcottRead
People say, 'why not have the Paralympics and Olympics combined?' I'm like, 'When Usain Bolt was running, I fully appreciate everyone will watch him and not me. But guess what? When I'm on, we're the stars, right?'
Dylan AlcottRead
Similar quotes
In your action, you lose sight of the vision, you lose sight of your trust in the process, and you just bang around in a sense of futility. Hold the vision and trust that the Universe will acclimate to your vision. Hold the vision and trust the process.
Esther HicksRead
Every day I meet people who have so much to give but have been...frighten ed enough to hold it back. It's time to stop complying with the system and draw your own map. You have brilliance in you, your contribution is essential, and the art you create is precious. Only you can do it, and you must.
Seth GodinRead
As a doctor, when I was minister of health and would go somewhere, little girls would come up to me and say, 'I want to be like you one day, I want to be a doctor.' Now, they tell me, 'I want to be president just like you.' All of us can dream as big as we want.
Michelle BacheletRead
All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. I am safe!
Louise HayRead
If you at least try to do the things that excite you, it will make you a more expansive and present person - you’ll feel, at the end of your life, that at least you took the shot.
George SaundersRead
I'm much more interested in lesser-known eccentrics and characters and performers. Like Matthew Buchinger, who was born in Germany in 1674, had no arms or legs and yet did magic, and had 14 kids, and made the most extraordinary calligraphy.
Ricky JayRead