I always felt really lucky that I only lost my legs, because it could've been so much worse.
Amy PurdyRead
I'm an athlete, yes, but I'm also a woman. I'm someone who kind of, in a way, lost touch with that part of myself after I lost my legs, because there are certain feminine traits you lose when you have prosthetic legs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the struggle of embracing one’s identity after physical loss and the challenges of maintaining femininity in the face of disability.
In this quote, Amy Purdy expresses the duality of her identity as both an athlete and a woman. She shares her personal journey of reconciling her femininity with the physical limitations brought upon by her prosthetic legs, highlighting the emotional and social implications of losing parts of herself in the process of adaptation to her new reality. This reveals the profound connection between identity and physicality, emphasizing how physical disabilities can affect one’s self-image and perception of gender traits.
Themes
AthleteWomanIdentityLossFemininityCourage
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire athletes with disabilities at a sports event to embrace their identities.
More from Amy Purdy
All quotes →I knew what I didn't want. I didn't want people to feel sorry for me. I didn't want people to see me as disabled. I wanted to live a life of adventure and stories.
Amy PurdyRead
I was on my death bed, and I remember hanging on to these words, 'Don't be scared. You are going to live an amazing life,' and I have.
Amy PurdyRead
When disease took my legs, I eventually realized I didn't need them to lead a full, empowering life; Only True Disability Is in Our Mind.
Amy PurdyRead
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