Quotes by Marlee Matlin

“Picket Fences.”

“Children of a Lesser God.”

It was my father who instilled the never say no attitude I carry around with me today, and who instilled in me a sense of wonder, always taking us on adventures in the car, never telling us the destination.

I hope I inspire people who hear. Hearing people have the ability to remove barriers that prevent deaf people from achieving their dreams.

I like to say that the greatest handicap of deafness does not lie in the ear, it lies in the mind. I hope that through my example, such as my role on The West Wing, I can help change attitudes on deafness and prove we can really do everything... except hear.

The handicap of deafness is not in the ear it is in the mind.

Silence is the last thing the world will ever hear from me.

You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Look out for kids, help them dream and be inspired. We teach calculus in schools, but I believe the most important formula is courage plus dreams equals success.

I personally have dealt with any adversity in my life with humor. Thats why I told America to Read my hips! on Dancing With the Stars or was happy to play along with Jason Alexander and Jerry Seinfeld in the great restaurant scene on Seinfeld.

Humor comes in all forms, and everyone has their cup of tea about what makes them laugh. But the day we censor humor is a sad one for sure.

What parent has it easy? I just never make the difficulty of it an obstacle. I just do it.

There are many deaf people who couldnt imagine living in a marriage without someone who doesnt speak their language. For me, I believe that hearing or deaf is fine as long as both parties are willing to communicate in each others language. But if theres no communication, then the marriage, I believe, will be difficult if not doomed.

At some point we have to stop and say, Theres Marlee, not, Theres the deaf actress.

My parents were the ones who gave me the independence, who gave me the spark to do anything that you set your mind to, as all parents should do for their kids.

I have made the choices that work best for me. I know I cannot please everyone, and thats fine.

Everybodys got a job to do, and I do mine as best I can.

Im different, and my manner invites questions. Im never afraid to answer.

The only thing I cant do is hear. I can drive, I have a life with four kids, I work on TV, I do movies, so the deafness question, is it that they want to know because, what? Not sure.

Im the only one in my family who is deaf, and there are still conversations that go around me that I miss out on. And I ask whats going on, and I have to ask to be included. But Im not going to be sad about it. I dont live in sad isolation. Its just a situation Im used to.

YouTube is akin to having my own network.