NATALIE DU TOIT

My parents gave me a boxer puppy as a present. I have wanted a dog for years and must first give her attention in the morning.

I never thought of being disadvantaged.

I am always late because people stop me for autographs and say hi.

When you are racing in an able-bodied competition, you're all equal and you go out there and try your best, and that's what counts.

I say, 'If I'm able to go out there and achieve a dream, then anybody can do it.'

Even when bad things happen you have to try to use those bad things in a positive manner and really just take the positive out of it.

The situation in disability sport is growing, and girls like Ellie Cole are doing wonders.

You have to work hard for what you want to achieve and you have to set goals and dreams and really go for them.

I think I've achieved everything I wanted to.

I just want to be myself and go for my own dreams and goals.

It doesn't matter if you look different. You're still the same as everybody else because you have the same dream.

I hate seaweed.

Qualifying for the Olympic Games was one of those moments where you just cry because it was like you've climbed Mount Everest.

I don't think of myself as being disabled, or able-bodied.

I have always had a dream to take part in an Olympic Games, and losing my leg didn't change anything.

Going out there in the water, it feels as if there's nothing wrong with me.

Back in my mind, I never, ever wanted to give up swimming; it was something that I would carry on with.

Swimming is my passion and something that I love.

I'm probably the most negative person around.

I go out there and train as hard as anybody else.

I have a strong upper body; I'm an arms swimmer, and I always have been.

I just missed out on qualifying for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

It's been a dream for me since I was six years old to go to the Olympic Games and to finally have that dream realised is something massive for me.

It is wonderful to say that your days behind a school desk are over. It's just another phase in your life.

By 9:30 at night, I go to bed.