Conversations Conversations Live podcast extra: Gill Hicks
Aug 13, 2025
Gill Hicks, a London bombing survivor and peace advocate, shares her inspiring story of resilience and positivity. She discusses her journey with disability, humorously reflecting on her prosthetic legs and Converse sneakers. With striking photographs, she highlights the heroism of first responders and the transformative power of community. Gill's journey includes thrilling adventures like abseiling and a career revival during COVID, emphasizing the importance of embracing love and connection over hatred in adversity.
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Surviving The London Bombing
- Gill Hicks survived the London Underground bombing that destroyed both her legs and barely survived the blast.
- She founded Mad for Peace and turned her trauma into activism to stop cycles of violence.
Converse Shoes Changed Perception
- A South Australian photographer shot Gill's prosthetic legs in Converse and school groups focused on the shoes first.
- Kids responded by saying "cool, she's wearing Converse," which shifted public conversation about disability.
From Shoe Collector To Giver
- Gill confesses she was a prolific shoe collector and kept shoes in clear boxes with sticky-note labels.
- She gave many shoes to friends with the same size to let them 'have another life.'