LIVEBronwyn: Welcome, Heather, to AOL Live. It is an honor to have you with us tonight! I hope you are ready to talk about your book and life work.
Heather Mills: Yep!
LIVEBronwyn: LiLaNgLgIrL87 wants to ask:
Question: Hi, Heather. I love your book!! Who would you say most inspires you?
Heather Mills: Hi, I am looking forward to chatting with everybody!
Heather Mills: Normally, it would be Ghandi or Malcolm X. Normally people wouldn’t put themselves in that kind of position unless they really wanted to make a difference. It would be people like that.
LIVEBronwyn: Anitaanite admires you and she wants to say:
Question: Hello, Heather, sure do admire you. How did you manage to get to where you are?
Heather Mills: Just by hard work, really. Confidence, believing in yourself, even when others around you don’t, which was the case, when I was younger, and just being very focused. What people tend to do is say they want to do something, but do not follow it through to the end, because it is a little difficult. Just believe in yourself and not rely on anyone else.
LIVEBronwyn: BabyCakes wants to know about your work. She says:
Question: Heather, can you tell us what Adopt-A-Minefield is all about?
LIVEBronwyn: Oh, no… Heather was calling in from a car overseas and we just lost her. She warned us this might happen and she WILL BE BACK — don’t go anywhere. YAY, she is back.
Heather Mills: Adopt-A-Minefield is about clearing minefields in about six different countries: Viet Nam, Cambodia, Bosnia, Croatia, Mozambique, Afghanistan. And why I got involved with them was because my main object was to help the survivors of mine explosions. I thought it would be a perfect combination for Adopt-A-Minefields and the survivors if we worked together. There is no thanks in organizations or charities like mine. This is going to continue if they are not going to clear the minefields. And it is absolutely do-able. There are so many mines and so many square meters of land to clear. So it is all possible, with funds and raising awareness. If anyone wants any more detailed information they can go to www.landmines.org. 100 percent of all donations goes to mine clearing and survivor assistance, which is unusual for a charity.
LIVEBronwyn: They also want to know how to get involved… DirtyShirt asks:
Question: How can I help the Adopt-A-Minefield cause?
Heather Mills: By typing into www.landmines.org and reading about events, which is a Night of 1,000 Dinners where you can charge your friend to come around to dinner. Or pay them if you are feeling really bad! Instead of bringing a bottle of wine, you can bring a donation, and know that you are making a difference while you are enjoying your food.
LIVEBronwyn: Dandifuti wants to help… they ask:
Question: My father was a double-leg amputee. Where can I donate his old prothesis?
Heather Mills: If you are in America, then there is an organization, the Ball Foundation, Barr Foundation, just type it in. I no longer collect unused limbs as we are now training amputees and local workers to become self-sufficient by using local resources. This way, they become less reliant on the input of charities. But the Barr Foundation still does collect and thank you for the offer of your dad’s legs.
LIVEBronwyn: CPB1604 wants to know:
Question: What’s it been like living in the limelight?
Heather Mills: I was used to it for eight years before I met Paul because I was known in the UK and Europe. But obviously, it is much more global now and more intense. So rather then wallow and worry about it, we put it to good use by utilizing the situation with such causes as the landmine issues.
LIVEBronwyn: Dbrazen88 wants some personal details:
Question: Heather, what makes you laugh and do you have any ticklish spots?
Heather Mills: My husband makes me laugh ’cause he has a very north — as in north of England — dry sense of humor. I am not really ticklish, but he is!
LIVEBronwyn: BloomBoy wants to say:
Question: Heather, you are absolutely beautiful, what do you do to stay in such great shape? Any suggestions?
Heather Mills: I do pilates, and I do that at least three or four times a week. Being vegetarian keeps you healthy. And I gave up chocolate about a year ago. My husband said, « I think it is all that chocolate you eat, » and being a woman, I didn’t want to hear that. But it worked. My skin cleared up in a month. So now, I do not eat any refined sugar. But I make up with it with lots of buttery and full-fat products. I don’t believe in dieting! I only eat when I am hungry and therefore, eat less. And loads of exercise!
LIVEBronwyn: OOOH, good question! CPB asks:
Question: Were you a Beatles fan growing up?
HeatherMills: No, I wasn’t. I was too busy surviving and getting on with my life to be a fan of anybody. I was really raised on classical music, but I am a fan now!
LIVEBronwyn: The Beatles or just Paul?
Heather Mills: I am a fan of the Beatles music, but naturally I am a BIG fan of my husband!
LIVEBronwyn: Nettwitt has a great question as well:
Question: Congrats, Heather, on your marriage and all the wonderful work you have done for the handicapped. What do you feel is your greatest achievement so far?
Heather Mills: I suppose it would be something that is with my charitable work. When I actually stop and think about it, then I suppose that I am most proud of all the amputees now walking again.
LIVEBronwyn: Your U.S. fans want to know what your plans here in the U.S. are. Do you have plans to do more book signings in the U.S. other than the places you already have?
Heather Mills: There are no more plans at the moment for book signings in the U.S, as the schedule is really tight and we just finished the Japan leg of the tour. But there will be more things coming up in the future.
LIVEBronwyn: Paula221 wants to know about you and Paul. She asks:
Question: How did you meet Paul?
Heather Mills: I met Paul when I was given an award for a girl that had lost her arms and legs to meningitis. We didn’t actually speak that day but he contacted me when I got back from Cambodia asking if he could help with my charity work. I didn’t know it at that time, but he fancied me! So we met later after I got back from Cambodia and it blossomed from there!
LIVEBronwyn: More on the McCartney front. Tedejasa wants to say:
Question: First of all, I loved your book, very inspiring. You have very little family yourself, how is it to be part of the big McCartney clan? By the way, congratulations on your new marriage.
Heather Mills: Thank you very much! And it is great to be part of a large family now. New Year’s is the best time when Paul and I sit together with the Liverpool family. They are a great bunch and I am very happy to be part of a big family now. Liverpool and New Castle people tend to have the same sense of humor!
LIVEBronwyn: Oh no, we are at our last question. Knecht wants to know:
Question: Heather, do you dislike the term « disabled? » Would you rather a new term be used for amputees? Disabled seems to denote « unable » when you are a shining example of true capability.
Heather Mills: Thank you very much for that complement! I don’t really worry about any terminology used, because I don’t really have a problem with « my disability, » but if I were to choose, I prefer the word handicapped. It just sounds cuter then disabled because, like you mentioned, a « dis » in front of « abled » can be quite demeaning to some people.
LIVEBronwyn: Heather, THANK YOU SO MUCH for joining us tonight. We have all learned so much from you.
LIVEBronwyn: Be sure to pick up your copy of ‘A Single Step’ to read more about Heather and her work.
Heather Mills: Thank you so much. Great questions! And my husband is digging me in the ribs to say I love him so much! And he is great! And modest! He is sitting right next to me! We can all make a difference. So please take the time out to go to landmines.org and see what we can do. And please buy the book!
LIVEBronwyn: Thank you all. Have a good night.
