Jessica Long

“I have never viewed myself as disabled.”

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

“I feel like Rio 2016 was my worst performance, and really my burnout.”

“I really live for the racing, the moments in those races where everything slows down even though you're swimming as fast as possible.”

“Overall, I believe there has been a significant shift in the acceptance and appreciation of Paralympic athletes, but we still have a long way to go.”

“I'm a big SkinCeuticals girl. I use their hyaluronic acid when my skin is a little wet, and I let it soak in.”

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

“I love swimming, but I love knowing that kids see me as an inspiration.”

“All of my life, I've loved proving people wrong.”

“I got married in October 2019, so all of 2019, I was planning my wedding.”

“There's something about it to me, the feeling of the water, and feeling, I don't know, equal, and like everyone else. Which is kind of funny because I didn't actually start swimming right away as a sport.”

“I tried my hardest to stay fit and active during quarantine. I went to my PT office four to five times a week. I did weights, a stationary bike, a rowing machine, and lots of abs.”

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

“I know I'm enough with or without the gold medals. I just love to swim.”

“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.”

“Growing up, I was one of those energetic kids who never sat still.”

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

“When I'm sad, I let myself be sad, but at the same time, I've been finding ways to pick myself back up.”

“I remember being really angry. I remember not wanting anything to do with God, and I was going in for surgeries every three months. And I mean, all I ever heard was God made me this way and I was like, 'Hmm, I don't think I like that.'”