Quotes from Stella Young

It is a truth universally acknowledged that from puberty onwards, the female body is disgusting and unruly and must be tamed, trimmed and tinted to within an inch of its life before it can be allowed to roam freely in the public eye.

We often hear that people mean well: that so many just don't how to interact with people with disabilities. They're unsure of the 'right' reaction, so they default to condescension that makes them feel better in the face of their discomfort.

My everyday life in which I do exactly the same things as everyone else should not inspire people, and yet I am constantly congratulated by strangers for simply existing.

I tend not to think about living to some grand old age. Then again, I don't think about dying, either.

Let's not forget that the Paralympics, just like the Olympics, are built on a rich history.

I have always felt like a loved, valued and equal member of my family.

We fill our lives with all sorts of things that make it easier for us to get along in the world: wheelchairs, crutches, grabber sticks, hearing aids, canes, guide dogs, modified vehicles, ramps, as well as other kinds of services and supports. Disability does not necessarily mean dependence on other people.

Apologies are great, but they don't really change anything. You know what does? Action.

In many ways, I'm incredibly lucky to have been born with my impairment and that it's visible. It means my path has been predictable.

We are a society that treats people with disabilities with condescension and pity, not dignity and respect.

For me, in some ways, my whole life is a bit performative and always has been - because I'm stared at and looked at everywhere I go.