Gill Hicks: I survived a terrorist attack. Here's what I learned
Gill Hicks has dedicated her life to being an advocate for peace. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
at the same time,
at anyone on the Tube,
over the detonation switch.
or maim me, Gill Hicks.
to dehumanize us.
in my carriage alone,
through tar might be like.
who, minutes earlier,
every few minutes.
at the Design Council.
architecture and design journals,
of the Royal Society of Arts,
that one day I would be standing,
doing extraordinary things in London.
around the tops of my legs,
and everyone out,
the whole of my life
lived more, seen more.
dancing, taken up yoga.
was always my work.
a small word, like "Gill."
when I was admitted to hospital.
that the rescuers were prepared to go
if I was rich or poor,
can not only save,
of one of my rescuers, Andy, and I
and wanting retribution,
for widespread positive change
pretty big things to ponder
than what can ever divide?
a tragedy or a disaster
connected as one species,
the wisdom of our era
until we know them?
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Gill Hicks - Survivor and activistGill Hicks has dedicated her life to being an advocate for peace.
Why you should listen
Dr. Gill Hicks is considered to be one of the most thought provoking, powerful and life affirming speakers in Australia and the UK. She is globally known as a survivor of the London terrorist bombings on July 7, 2005. She survived, but suffered severe and permanent injuries, losing both legs from just below the knee.
Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Hicks has lived in London since 1991, however in 2012 Hicks returned to Australia where she operates nationally and internationally through her not for profit M.A.D. for Peace network and her public speaking work.
Her unique and compelling projects and initiative's, aimed at both deterring anyone from following the path of violent extremism and building sustainable models for peace, draw upon Hicks's previous roles within the Arts.
An impressive career before the bombings included being at the helm of some of the UK's most prestigious and respected institutions -- including publishing director of the architecture, design and contemporary culture magazine, Blueprint, director of the Dangerous Minds design consultancy and head curator at the Design Council. It wasn’t until after the bombings that Hicks decided to dedicate her life to being an advocate for peace. She has made it her mission to use her experiences and her new body form to positive effect.
In 2007 Hicks founded the not for profit organisation M.A.D. for Peace, a platform that connects people globally and encourages us to think of "Peace as a Verb," something that we have an individual responsibility to do every day.
In 2008 Hicks released her first book, One Unknown, named after the chilling label given to her as she arrived to hospital as an unidentified body. The book was shortlisted for the Mind Book of the Year Awards.
Since her return to Australia in 2012, Hicks has been recognised as South Australian, Australian of the Year 2015 and is Chair to the Innovation component for the Committee for Adelaide.
In 2013 Hicks welcomed her daughter, Amelie into the world. This, as she describes it, is her finest achievement and greatest acknowledgement of the brilliance and resilience of the human body.
Gill Hicks | Speaker | TED.com