Cheers and applause filled Kwai Tsing Theatre on Friday night as Aimee Mullins made her way to the stage in a black dress and high-heeled boots.
The former athlete, model and now movie star was there to share her life experiences with 800 teenagers and young adults at the second annual MaD (Make a Difference) youth forum, a three-day round of talks, workshops and creative programmes.
Mullins is no different from any other multi-talented person, except that she has done it all on prosthetic legs.
'I never thought of myself as disabled,' said the 35-year-old who was born without fibula bones and had her legs amputated when she was a baby. 'If you wear eyeglasses every day, would you feel disabled?'
Growing up in Pennsylvania in the United States, she refused to be confined to a wheelchair. 'If I can walk, why would I use a wheelchair?'
At the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996, Mullins broke three world records in the 100 metres, 200 metres and the long jump. Three years later, she embarked on a modelling career, making her runway debut in London for British fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Mullins was down to open the fashion show and admitted she was petrified. 'I was terrified because I only got the custom-made legs seven hours before the show,' allowing her very little time in which to learn how to walk with them.
