People used to call the Paralympics the 'Special Olympics.' These men and women are athletes. They are warriors. They are people who are not confined by what they have been given. It's amazing to see where, and how far, the human body can really go.
— RJ Mitte
A lot of people don't want to hire disabled actors. They think you're going to take twice as long over a shot, or they don't want have to put up a ramp for disabled access. They think, 'Why would I do that when I can just hire an able-bodied actor to play the disabled character?'
It's difficult to learn to play these different disabled characters - Campbell in 'Switched At Birth' was paralysed from the waist down - but it's nice to be able to step into their world and live in these characters' shoes and to be able to play them, because it gives you a different look at life.
People with disabilities can grow up thinking they have a weakness because they are told,You will never do this properly; you will never walk properly or talk properly.' That's all they hear. But you have to look past that.
I have my real name and RJ. I've gone by RJ since I was eight, but I was named Roy after my grandfather. They called me Little Roy, which sounded like Leroy with a Texas accent, but my mom didn't want to have a Leroy as a son, so it went to RJ.
We know lots of progress is being made, but the industry must do more to help disabled people work both in front of and behind the camera.
My grandparents would take me out fishing in their boat once a week from when I was about two or three, growing up in in Texas and Louisiana. I loved it.
When it comes to money, I provide for my family, and that's important to me.
As a child, I was taught that you can achieve, and you can do anything you want.
The people that you have around you are your biggest influence.
I spent a long time away from my parents when I was younger. I would go hunting and fishing with my uncle, and we would go for weeks at a time. I also spent a lot of time in Texas with my grandparents.
I like to dirt bike ride, four wheeler, go-kart.
'Breaking Bad' - I've heard that question phrased in many directions, and it always means the same thing. It's when someone can't... when a decent person can't take it any more. They just kind of turn and go in the opposite direction.
I say, 'You can never use excuses because they always run out.'
One time I semi-wrecked my uncle's truck. He told me to back it up into a ditch, but my foot slipped and I gunned it a little too much. But now I use one foot, and I do not run into stuff - at least I try not to.
With moderate physical training, you can control anything in your body. You don't have to be an athlete to do it, and this isn't just about people with disabilities - it's about everyone. You just have to have the willpower, the mindset, and the desire to want to better yourself.
I'm always looking for roles to challenge me and ones which I'll enjoy playing.
I try not to look back at anything I do. I avoid it like the plague.
I grew up with a marine grandfather. I was never allowed to say 'can't' or 'no', and I was never allowed to back down.
I try to bring awareness, not just to CP but to all disabilities in the sense that it's knowledge. My disability gave me so much knowledge that I was able to take into 'Breaking Bad' and to grow and to learn.
I don't really eat breakfast that often. I'm a bacon guy. I like breakfast food, but I don't really eat food until after noon, so by that time, that's not really breakfast.
I didn't know anything was wrong with me when I was growing up. I thought everyone went to occupational and speech therapy, I thought these were common things. I thought I was quite normal until I went to school and someone told me it wasn't normal to have a disability.
Breaking Bad' gave me a career. It gave me more work than I could possibly imagine - I started filming it when I was 14 years old, and I finished when I was turning 21.
You can do anything if you set goals. You just have to push yourself.
I wouldn't say in all situations, but a lot of times kids can be the most reasonable people around because they don't have the deal with all the drama that goes along with being an adult.
I always wanted to go into the military or something like that - my whole family, all my friends are either Air Force, Navy, or Marines.
I'm actually very active.
I don't really say too much to my parents. If they ask me to do something I just do it and get it out of the way.
I hate being immobile.
Anything you rely on can become a crutch. And disabled or not, when you rely on something, that is what will cripple you.
I work with amazing organisations: I work with I'm A Performer With Disability, and I work with a clinic which tries to get opportunities for people with disabilities to work in the film and TV industry, and we're making strides, and they're making strides.
Nothing I do will ever compare with 'Breaking Bad.'
When you have a disability, people think you are weak. They think they can prey on you.
I would love to switch on my TV and see a disabled person talking about something they are genuinely interested in or acting out a part that doesn't just focus on their impairment.
I was eight when I found out I was adopted. My step-brother told me. He'd overheard my mum and my stepdad at the time talking about it, and he threw it in my face. But I didn't really care. It didn't seem relevant, because I never once in my life felt unloved or like I was a burden.
My parents got divorced when I was nine months old, and my father would only pop in and see me once a year, if that. I don't have much contact with him.
I've always treated money with respect, but I don't really think about money - I try to avoid it, because I don't like what money does to people. I find if you get too much money involved, people get corrupted.
I like to work.
The more you travel, the more well-off you'll be, I think.
My sister is a mess. I love her to death, but she is a mess.
I personally don't like school, but you have to do it if you want to get through life, so pretty much I put up with it.
I want to get my Masters in business.
I feel bad for people in wheelchairs and people who have to use crutches.
