Quotes from Jessica Long

I don't know anyone who has made it through this life with it being super easy. Life is hard.

It's really awesome to come back home and be recognized for the hard work.

As soon as we landed in Tokyo, that's when I was like, OK. I really want to bring home a gold medal.'

Here in Tokyo, this is one of my favorite Paralympics I've ever attended.

I'm older. I'm 29. How many people stick with this sport? Dedication, consistency, it's very hard.

It's great to be No. 1, but it's even greater to inspire people.

I think here in the U.S., we have a hard time accepting disabilities. That's why I think it's really good to share and let kids know that its not a disability, it's an ability. You have an ability to inspire others.

Everyone had legs. Even my younger sisters both had legs. It was hard to comprehend what I did wrong: Why me? Then I found out about the Paralympics. It really did completely change my life.

There was a time I used to focus on just being skinny, and now I really think about how can I be strong.

The Paralympics have given me so much, and I know what this sport can do for a young kid when it's at its best.

For me, I don't kick because I don't have legs.

Like in Athens, it went by so fast and I mean, I remember it being like the best trip ever. And I am so excited for Beijing. Like at Opening Ceremonies when you walk out with your whole team and you are all marching and they light the torch, I mean - it is so exciting.

One athlete I absolutely love is Melissa Stockwell.

Everyone had a loss or lost something during COVID. I allowed myself to take long baths, watch cheesy movies, and just tried to slow down, and I made sure to maintain my mental health.

When I look back on my life, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, have I swum the entire world? How many miles have I actually swam?'

Sometimes people look at people with disabilities and there's a moment where they just feel sorry for them.

I was never bullied as a kid, and I didn't know that I was going to be bullied by adults because I park in handicapped. And I get it - I'm young and athletic - but I'm also missing legs.

I don't mind if adults stare. They should really know about my physical situation.

Before the Paralympic movement I definitely didn't like wearing shorts because people would stare at me.

If you're not in the right classification, you're basically stealing funding and opportunities from other people. This is not the NFL. There's only so much money to go around.

It's important that people can be themselves and live a normal life that's not defined by a disability.

I had the freedom to be alone with myself, completely unlimited by my circumstances or my body while doing what I loved. I think that's why I took to swimming with such ease.

You're still a person with or without that gold medal. It just represents the hard work.

When I first began competing, brands were quite hesitant to feature disabled athletes in advertisements, perhaps due to a fear of offending consumers.