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It is a lonely existence to be a child with a disability which no-one can see or understand, you exasperate your teachers, you disappoint your parents, and worst of all you know that you are not just stupid.

I'm very learning-disabled, and I think it drove me to what I'm doing.

You can't separate me from my upbringing as a child overcoming learning disabilities and having to make my way through that.

That difficult start drove me on to inspire children and let them know that it is never to late to repair a bad experience at school, and once you get your head down and start to read books, you can really achieve.

I went to school for special education. I always assumed when I had the opportunity I would love to try and help kids with disabilities.

I have a strong sense that I have to educate people about disability.

I talk often about being intrinsically motivated by learning. It's the primary driver of most of my activity.

When kids are met with the highest expectations and given the extra supports they need, they can be as motivated as kids anywhere.

Becoming an inspiration for kids is great. I want to inspire them to do whatever they want to.

I can't say that my disability has helped my work, but it has allowed me to concentrate on research without having to lecture or sit on boring committees.