'I never thought of myself as disabled,' said the 35-year-old who was born without fibula bones and had her legs amputated when she was a baby. 'If you wear eyeglasses every day, would you feel disabled?'

Growing up in Pennsylvania in the United States, she refused to be confined to a wheelchair. 'If I can walk, why would I use a wheelchair?'

At the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996, Mullins broke three world records in the 100 metres, 200 metres and the long jump. Three years later, she embarked on a modelling career, making her runway debut in London for British fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Mullins was down to open the fashion show and admitted she was petrified. 'I was terrified because I only got the custom-made legs seven hours before the show,' allowing her very little time in which to learn how to walk with them.

'It was an extraordinary experience,' said Mullins. 'No one noticed that I was wearing artificial legs until we told the media the next day.'

It caused quite a sensation and soon led to her walking onto the big screen. She is now playing the Egyptian goddess Isis in a film adapted from Norman Mailer's novel Ancient Evenings.

'I used to picture myself as a Bond girl,' Mullins said with an engaging smile, 'sexy but sporty, cat suit with gold finger. Interestingly, when I look back, she's kind of like me now.'

Having been named as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by People magazine, Mullins says with a grin: 'Just call me Aimee, a very curious girl.'

Mullins spent 30 minutes sharing her experiences with the audience of 16- to 30-year-olds.

'I was touched by her optimism and cheerfulness,' said Jia Siyu, 23, a fresh graduate from the Chinese University of Hong Kong who now works as a journalist.

'It makes you want to do something good for the community.'

Organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture, MaD this year has attracted 1,200 youngsters to meet change-makers and motivational speakers.