One Unknown: A Powerful Account of Survival and One Woman’s Inspirational Journey to Recovery and a New Life

One Unknown: A Powerful Account of Survival and One Woman’s Inspirational Journey to Recovery and a New Life
Gill Hicks,
Rodale International
ISBN 1405099895,
£16.99

Star rating: 4/5

The events of 7 July 2005 are emblazoned on public consciousness, writes Anika Baddeley. While the immediate events are well documented, the longer term story of the victims who survived is less well known.

One Unknown is the story of the recovery of Gill Hicks, the last survivor to be rescued from the train at Russell Square. This is an account of how life can be shaped by terrible events and how it can be reclaimed.

Those who acquire disability can present a particular challenge to health and social care professionals. Hicks begins what she refers to as “life two” as One Unknown (a reference to how she was described by the emergency services as they rescued her) slowly returning as far as possible to the Gill she was before the events of that day.

She praises the people who helped her and explains how she felt part of a team whose only focus was for her to achieve as much as she could. This is an excellent example of the value of inter-disciplinary working and the patient-centred approach.

My one criticism is that Hicks portrays her NHS care and rehabilitation as a little too perfect, with no negatives at all.

Anika Baddeley is a sociologist and has cerebral palsy