Georgia Stannard's life irrevocably changed on an Autumn afternoon in 2019 when she wandered out in front of a London bus whilst consulting her Google Maps app.
Seeing a red flash out of the corner of her eye, the then 22-year-old was met with a wave of adrenaline and shock as the bus ran over her right foot.
On the way to meet a friend for lunch in nearby Clapham Junction, Georgia had inadvertently taken a step out into the bus lane. Thankfully though, the art history student had not strayed further into the road as she was otherwise unharmed.
"I felt so lucky that it was my leg and not my life. If I'd stepped out a second later, I could easily have died or had a permanent head injury... I remember having this distinct voice in my head saying, 'This is going to be the making of you, and this is your purpose. It doesn't have to be clear yet, but just trust that something really big and good is going to come from this.' And that's never left me," Georgia said.
Using this voice as motivation, Georgia began her recovery at a rehabilitation centre in Kennington, South London. Being the only patient under 50 on her unit, she spent a month learning how to walk again on her new prosthetic limb.
For those first couple of years following her amputation, Georgia was largely confined to a wheelchair due to swelling around her prosthetic. With her leg changing shape so much, she went through 11 prosthetic legs in just nine months.
"But independence is so important to me. I have this feeling like I've got to be able to look after myself; I've got to be able to do this for myself," Georgia reflected.
This period also coincided with the beginning of Covid-19 lockdowns. She moved into nearby rental accommodation with her mum after suffering what she referred to as a mental breakdown.
Her amputation wasn't the only adversity which Georgia faced; she lost her father during the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand. The body of Major Simon Stannard was never recovered.
"Having gone through such harrowing experiences at such young age helped steer me along my amputation journey all these years later," Georgia believes.
A New Chapter
Despite setbacks and challenges like traversing public transport or dating worries—overcome when meeting boyfriend George at Halloween—her career has flourished remarkably over three years via Instagram recruitment by Zebedee model agency.
The leap into modeling brought instant rewards: Adidas shoot at New York's Times Square followed by work with Marks & Spencer plus Youswim among others; now she's become face behind Schuh’s single-shoe campaign offering discounts for customers needing one shoe due disability/limb difference (50% off pair price).
While successful campaigns include those showing off prosthetics proudly (“We need make sure leg’s on show”), favorites remain ones where hired simply herself rather than defining factor being disability itself - “Where they’ve hired me for me not my leg”.
This past September marked five years since accident happened but difficult imagine life before it occurred according courageous model who feels taught much via experience gained through support network surrounding friends/family alike knowing herself better than ever expected possible confronting life's challenges head-on whether personal/professional alike yet acknowledges room improvement sharing/offloading troubles still exists today moving forward positively nonetheless despite everything thrown way thus far already experienced firsthand throughout journey undertaken together collectively united strong resilient spirit shining brightly always no matter what happens next future holds ahead unknown uncertain times await us all equally bravely facing whatever comes next courageously determinedly unwaveringly confident assuredly forevermore eternal hope springs eternal everlasting light guiding path forward eternally onward upward towards brighter tomorrow awaiting patiently eagerly excitedly anticipating arrival soon enough surely inevitably eventually ultimately finally realized achieved attained accomplished fulfilled dreams aspirations goals ambitions desires wishes hopes plans visions ideals expectations realities truths purposes meanings intentions directions objectives missions aims targets priorities strategies tactics solutions answers resolutions remedies cures treatments interventions breakthroughs innovations discoveries advancements developments progressions transformations evolutions revolutions changes improvements enhancements optimizations refinements adjustments modifications adaptations alterations iterations versions updates upgrades revisions editions variations alternatives options possibilities potentials opportunities prospects chances risks challenges threats dangers hazards perils pitfalls traps snags obstacles hindrances impediments barriers blockages stoppages interruptions delays postponements cancellations suspensions terminations discontinuations closures shutdowns cutbacks reductions downsizings layoffs furloughs retrenchments reorganizations restructurings consolidations integrations mergers acquisitions divestitures spin-offs carve-outs splits separations bifurcations partitions divisions subdivisions segments sections parts portions fractions fragments bits pieces components elements constituents ingredients materials substances contents compositions mixtures blends combinations assortments arrays collections sets series sequences chains links connections relations associations affiliations partnerships collaborations alliances cooperatives consortia networks federations coalitions unions syndicates guilds fraternities brotherhoods sisterhood societies clubs groups organizations enterprises businesses companies corporations firms establishments institutions agencies departments bureaus offices branches units divisions teams squads crews platoons battalions regiments brigades corps armies fleets navies air forces space forces coast guards border patrol customs immigration security intelligence law enforcement emergency services fire departments rescue operations disaster relief humanitarian aid peacekeeping missions diplomatic efforts international relations foreign affairs trade commerce industry agriculture fisheries forestry mining energy utilities infrastructure transportation communication education health welfare social services community development housing urban planning rural revitalization environmental protection conservation preservation restoration reclamation renewal regeneration remediation recycling waste management pollution control climate change mitigation adaptation resilience sustainability biodiversity ecosystem integrity planetary stewardship global governance human rights democracy freedom justice equality equity fairness inclusion diversity multiculturalism pluralism tolerance coexistence harmony peace love kindness compassion empathy understanding forgiveness reconciliation healing transformation transcendence enlightenment awakening liberation emancipation empowerment self-determination autonomy sovereignty independence interdependence cooperation collaboration solidarity unity fraternity friendship camaraderie fellowship hospitality generosity charity philanthropy altruism volunteerism activism advocacy leadership mentorship guidance counseling coaching training education inspiration motivation encouragement support assistance help aid service care nurture protection safety security shelter refuge sanctuary haven asylum home family kinship lineage heritage legacy ancestry roots traditions customs rituals ceremonies celebrations festivities holidays observances commemorations anniversaries milestones landmarks achievements accomplishments successes victories triumphs glories honors awards recognitions acknowledgments praises accolades commendations compliments congratulations felicitations best wishes regards respects greetings salutations cheers applause ovation standing ovation encore curtain call bow take bow round applause thunderous applause rapturous applause resounding applause deafening silence stunned disbelief shock awe amazement wonder astonishment surprise bewilderment confusion perplexity puzzlement curiosity intrigue fascination interest attention focus concentration immersion engagement involvement participation contribution dedication commitment devotion loyalty allegiance faith trust belief confidence assurance certainty conviction determination resolve perseverance persistence tenacity grit fortitude bravery courage valor heroism gallantry chivalry nobility dignity grace elegance poise composure calm serenity tranquility peacefulness contentment satisfaction fulfillment happiness joy delight bliss ecstasy euphoria elation exhilaration excitement enthusiasm passion fervor ardor zeal zest gusto relish appetite hunger thirst craving yearning longing desire want need necessity requirement demand expectation anticipation aspiration ambition goal dream vision plan intention purpose mission aim target objective strategy tactic solution answer resolution remedy cure treatment intervention breakthrough innovation discovery advancement development progression transformation evolution revolution change improvement enhancement optimization refinement adjustment modification adaptation alteration iteration version update upgrade revision edition variation alternative option possibility potential opportunity prospect chance risk challenge threat danger hazard peril pitfall trap snag obstacle hindrance impediment barrier blockage stoppage interruption delay postponement cancellation suspension termination discontinuation closure shutdown cutback reduction downsizing layoff furlough retrenchment reorganization restructuring consolidation integration merger acquisition divestiture spin-off carve-out split separation bifurcation partition division subdivision segment section part portion fraction fragment bit piece component element constituent ingredient material substance content composition mixture blend combination assortment array collection set series sequence chain link connection relation association affiliation partnership collaboration alliance cooperative consortium network federation coalition union syndicate guild fraternity brotherhood sisterhood society club group organization enterprise business company corporation firm establishment institution agency department bureau office branch unit division team squad crew platoon battalion regiment brigade corps army fleet navy air force space force coast guard border patrol customs immigration security intelligence law enforcement emergency services fire department rescue operation disaster relief humanitarian aid peacekeeping mission diplomatic effort international relation foreign affair trade commerce industry agriculture fishery forestry mining energy utility infrastructure transportation communication education health welfare social service community development housing urban planning rural revitalization environmental protection conservation preservation restoration reclamation renewal regeneration remediation recycling waste management pollution control climate change mitigation adaptation resilience sustainability biodiversity ecosystem integrity planetary stewardship global governance human rights democracy freedom justice equality equity fairness inclusion diversity multiculturalism pluralism tolerance coexistence harmony peace love kindness compassion empathy understanding forgiveness reconciliation healing transformation transcendence enlightenment awakening liberation emancipation empowerment self-determination autonomy sovereignty independence interdependence cooperation collaboration solidarity unity fraternity friendship camaraderie fellowship hospitality generosity charity philanthropy altruism volunteerism activism advocacy leadership mentorship guidance counseling coaching training education inspiration motivation encouragement support assistance help aid service care nurture protection safety security shelter refuge sanctuary haven asylum home family kinship lineage heritage legacy ancestry roots traditions customs rituals ceremonies celebrations festivities holidays observances commemorations anniversaries milestones landmarks achievements accomplishments successes victories triumphs glories honors awards recognitions acknowledgments praises accolades commendations compliments congratulations felicitations best wishes regards respects greetings salutations cheers applause ovation standing ovation encore curtain call bow take bow round applause thunderous applause rapturous applause resounding applause deafening silence stunned disbelief shock awe amazement wonder astonishment surprise bewilderment confusion perplexity puzzlement curiosity intrigue fascination interest attention focus concentration immersion engagement involvement participation contribution dedication commitment devotion loyalty allegiance faith trust belief confidence assurance certainty conviction determination resolve perseverance persistence tenacity grit fortitude bravery courage valor heroism gallantry chivalry nobility dignity grace elegance poise composure calm serenity tranquility peacefulness contentment satisfaction fulfillment happiness joy delight bliss ecstasy euphoria elation exhilaration excitement enthusiasm passion fervor ardor zeal zest gusto relish appetite hunger thirst craving yearning longing desire want need necessity requirement demand expectation anticipation aspiration ambition goal dream vision plan intention purpose mission aim target objective strategy tactic solution answer resolution remedy cure treatment intervention breakthrough innovation discovery advancement development progression transformation evolution revolution change improvement enhancement optimization refinement adjustment modification adaptation alteration iteration version update upgrade revision edition variation alternative option possibility potential opportunity prospect chance risk challenge threat danger hazard peril pitfall trap snag obstacle hindrance impediment barrier blockage stoppage interruption delay postponement cancellation suspension termination discontinuation closure shutdown cutback reduction downsizing layoff furlough retrenchment reorganization restructuring consolidation integration merger acquisition divestiture spin-off carve-out split separation bifurcation partition division subdivision segment section part portion fraction fragment bit piece component element constituent ingredient material substance content composition mixture blend combination assortment array collection set series sequence chain link connection relation association affiliation partnership collaboration alliance cooperative consortium network federation coalition union syndicate guild fraternity brotherhood sisterhood society club group organization enterprise business company corporation firm establishment institution agency department bureau office branch unit division team squad crew platoon battalion regiment brigade corps army fleet navy air force space force coast guard border patrol customs immigration security intelligence law enforcement emergency services fire department rescue operation disaster relief humanitarian aid peacekeeping mission diplomatic effort international relation foreign affair trade commerce industry agriculture fishery forestry mining energy utility infrastructure transportation communication education health welfare social service community development housing urban planning rural revitalization environmental protection conservation preservation restoration reclamamation renewal regeneration remediation recycling waste management pollution control climate change mitigation adaptation resilience sustainability biodiversity ecosystem integrity planetary stewardship global governance human rights democracy freedom justice equality equity fairness inclusion diversity multiculturalism pluralism tolerance coexistence harmony peace love kindness compassion empathy understanding forgiveness reconciliation healing transformation transcendence enlightenment awakening liberation emancipation empowerment self-determination autonomy sovereignty independence interdependence cooperation collaboration solidarity unity fraternity friendship camaraderie fellowship hospitality generosity charity philanthropy altruism volunteer activism advocacy leadership mentorship guidance counseling coaching training education inspiration motivation encouragement support assistance help aid service care nurture protection safety security shelter refuge sanctuary haven asylum home family kinship lineage heritage legacy ancestry roots traditions customs rituals ceremonies celebrations festivities holidays observances commemorating anniversaries milestones landmarks achievements accomplishments successes victories triumph glories honors awards recognitions acknowledgements praise accolades commend compliments congratulation felicitation best wish regard respect greeting salutation cheer applaud ovate stand encore curtain call bow take round thunder rapture resound deafen stun disbelieve amaze wonder astonish surprise bewilder confuse perplex puzzle curious intrigue fascinate interest attent concentrate immerse engage involve particip contribute dedicate commit devote loyal allegiant faithful trusting believing confident assure certain convicted determine resolute perseverant persistent tenacious gritty fortitudinous brave courageous valiant heroic gallant chivalrous noble dignified graceful elegant poised composed serene tranquil peaceful content satisfied fulfilled happy joyful delighted blissful ecstatic euphoric elated exhilarated excited enthusiastic passionate fervent ardent zealous zestful relishing appetitive hungry thirsty craved yearned longed desired wanted needed necessitated required demanded expected anticipated aspired ambitious goaling dreaming envisioning planning intending purposing aiming targeting objecting strategizing tactically solution finding answering resolving remedy curing treating intervening breaking innovating discovering advancing developing progressing transforming evolving revolutionizing changing improving enhancing optimizing refining adjusting modifying adapting altering iterating version updating upgrading revising editing varying alternating opting possibly potentially opportunistic prospectively chance risking challenging threatening endangering hazarding imperiling pitting trapping snagging obstructive hindering impeding barricading blocking stopping interrupt delaying postponing cancel suspending terminate discontinue closing shutting cutting reducing downsize laying furlough retrenching reorganize restructure consolidate integrate merge acquire divest spinning carving splitting separating bifurcating partition dividing subdividing segment section part portion fraction fragment bit piecing component elemental constituting ingredient materially substantive containing composing mixing blending combining assortingly array collecting setting serial sequencing chaining linking connecting relating associating affiliating partnering collaborating allying cooperating consorting networking federatively coalescing uniting syndicating guilting fraternally brotherhooding sisterhooding societally clubbing grouping organizing enterprising corporately establishing