In 2017, Freya Lewis was just 14 when she was injured in a bomb blast after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in the U.K. She woke up in intensive care to the news that her best friend had been killed. With the support of her family, her community and even her favourite pop stars like Harry Styles and Ariana Grande herself, Freya began to rebuild her life and find joy again in the songs that had become too painful in the aftermath. Hers is a story of a teenage friendship, fandom and the strength to carry on. 

Freya's book is called What Makes Us Stronger.

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Mariana Des Forges

Picture: Freya Lewis in Manchester
Credit: Courtesy of Nick Lewis

In 2017, Freya Lewis was just 14 when she was injured in a bomb blast after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in the U.K. She woke up in intensive care to the news that her best friend had been killed. With the support of her family, her community and even her favourite pop stars like Harry Styles and Ariana Grande herself, Freya began to rebuild her life and find joy again in the songs that had become too painful in the aftermath. Hers is a story of a teenage friendship, fandom and the strength to carry on. Freya's book is called What Makes Us Stronger. Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: Mariana Des Forges Picture: Freya Lewis in Manchester Credit: Courtesy of Nick Lewis

The teenager who survived the Manchester bombing

<p>Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. 
 
Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. 
 
Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. </p><p>Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years.
 
Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784
 
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Society & Culture

Documentary

Personal Journals

Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years. Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784 You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

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The teenager who survived the Manchester bombing

The teenager who survived the Manchester bombing

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