I think what I represent is achieving what you want in life. It's a matter of your attitude. Some people have a negative attitude, and that's their disability.

There is a big difference to someone being born with vision loss, to a kid having vision loss, to a senior having macular degeneration and losing their sight.

If all you do is make excuses, then that is how people see you. Make your strengths visible.

People suddenly expected less of me and I didn't want that. Not only could I keep up with sighted kids, I could excel. I have an intense competiveness that was always in me.

Don't listen to negative influences. Believe in yourself, and show others what you can do. Only you can find your potential.

Sometimes parents limit the experiences their kids will have, saying they are going to fail they can't ride a bike or do sports.

It was a very strange, disappointing race in that no one wanted to take it out. That's why I took the lead. I wanted some people to run the real distance and that was frustrating. So I took the pace around the second lap, which in some ways is suicidal...but I wanted the pace to be honest.