How we survive
People who have lived through our greatest fears
‘We pledged not to eat each other’: the family that was shipwrecked for 38 days
In 1972, while travelling the world, the Robertsons’ boat was attacked by whales. They found themselves adrift for weeks on a tiny raft, forced to drink turtle blood, kill sharks and use enemas to stay hydrated, while fighting for their lives
A noise like thunder – then my classroom went black. How I lost my brother, sister and stability to the Aberfan disaster
In 1966, a colliery spoil tip collapsed on a primary school in Wales. 144 people were killed, including 116 children. Gaynor Madgwick recalls waking up in the debris – and the horror and healing that followed
At four, I was kidnapped and sex-trafficked for years. Now I fight for the powerless – and win every case
After he was snatched, Antonio Salazar-Hobson didn’t see his family for 24 years. His desire to return to his mother, and his discovery of a higher purpose, helped him navigate a path through hell
My daughter was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend – but I won’t let anger destroy me
Nick Gazzard’s daughter Hollie was at work in a hairdressers when she was attacked by her abusive ex – who the police had failed to arrest. He recalls the horror of that day, and why he’s thrown himself into campaigning
I was an addict, a prisoner, a sex worker. I thought the world had written me off – but I saved myself
For two decades Mandy Ogunmokun was either in jail or selling sex to pay for drugs. She had four children – but never got the chance to raise them. Now clean, she has devoted her life to helping other struggling women
A car hit me, drove off – and left me annihilated. Here is how I put myself back together
When a car hit Adam Johnson at 55mph, he was left with broken legs, nose, teeth and spirit, and was put into a coma in hospital. His slow recovery was helped by one of the few things he still had – his creativity
At 17, I was jailed for a murder I didn’t commit – and spent seven life-changing years in prison
Basic police checks would have shown Sam Hallam wasn’t at the scene of the crime, but these weren’t carried out until he had spent much of his youth inside. He explains why he is still fighting for justice, years after his release
I survived three days in a capsized boat on the ocean floor – praying in my air bubble
Harrison Okene had no choice but to listen in the dark as the shouts of his colleagues fell silent. His throat throbbed and his tongue peeled. Ten years on, he explains why he loves the sea more than ever – and decided to become a diver
At 17, a shark attack cost me my leg. A year later, I’m back in the water where I almost died
Addison Bethea was snorkelling off the Florida coast when she found herself fighting for her life. Her love of wildlife documentaries had taught her how to fend off a shark – but it was back on dry land that she really needed her courage
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