I feel lucky that I found my talent, not unlucky that I was born with a disability. When I'm on a horse, I'm more worried about what the riding hat is doing to my hair than what my bent legs and arms are doing. What riding has given me is respect. Lee Pearson armbearbend share on social
I've stayed in the best hotels in the world, but you could put me in prison, and I'd still have fun. Lee Pearson funhavehotel Change image and share on social
When I pull my white Range Rover into disabled parking bays, the abuse that I get until I actually get out on my crutches is phenomenal, because people presume that you couldn't possibly be disabled and reverse a white Range Rover into that parking space. Lee Pearson abusebaycrutch share on social
When people chat to me about my childhood and getting into horses, they're like, 'Was it like the birds sang and the sun came out? Was it an amazing experience?' I'm like, 'No, it was rubbish. I was frightened. I was pretty unbalanced, and most ponies took advantage of me.' Lee Pearson advantageamazebird share on social
I always say I'm one of the most normal abnormal people you'll ever meet. I get embarrassed about how many medals I've won, and I get angry when people presume that because you're gay you've got to wear pink and stilettos and camp it up, or that if you're disabled you should act like a victim and not have a life. Lee Pearson abnormalactangry share on social
I understand when people think dressage is boring. But while your standard horse is like driving a Fiesta, our horses are like driving Formula One cars. I can't breathe without the horse reacting. You are training another being to become really responsive and athletic and powerful. Lee Pearson athleticborebreathe share on social
I've thought about adopting, but I'm a bit paranoid that because I'm gay and disabled I'd be put straight off the list. My mother thinks that I would jump the queue because they like minorities adopting. I have great genes, though, and I would like to pass them on. Lee Pearson adoptbitedisable share on social
I'm a gay disabled man who has become very successful. I don't get up in the morning and think I'm inspirational; I just get up thinking that I love horses. Lee Pearson disablegayhorse Change image and share on social
Whether I'm riding a horse or driving a car, I'm feeling them, judging what they're doing, trying to work out what I can take them up to. Lee Pearson cardrivefelt Change image and share on social
Paralympics has always had to push the media into it being about sport and not focusing on the disability. Lee Pearson disabilityfocusmedium Change image and share on social