A MAN from Luckington who wrote about a life changing injury that put him into a coma, has been inspiring readers across the country.

Hugh Smith, 31, self-published his book The New Me about an accident on the night of his 21st birthday that could have killed him.

When out celebrating his birthday with friends, Hugh suffered a knock to his head which sent him into a coma that has had lasting effects.

Still unable to swallow properly, deaf in one ear and without the ability to smell, he has not let his setbacks affect him.

Having lost the ability to walk following the accident, he ran the Malmesbury 10k last year, as well as a host of other races, and his book about his recovery is selling well online.

“I’ve learned to embrace what I can do rather than what I’ve lost,” said Hugh.

“After the accident I had to learn to walk again.

“It was just case of doing above and beyond what doctors told me to do so I could walk again.

“The book covers a little on me as a child and what I’d done, then the day-to-day account of my time in hospital based on medical notes and the daily family diary my mum kept.

“It gives both reflections of my personal emotions and professional opinion as well.

“I’ve gone on to say what I’ve done since. After learning to walk again I’ve done several 5k runs and in 2014 I did six 10k runs.”

The book started out as a way of Hugh documenting his memories, however it turned into much more.

“When I decided to do it, it was for selfish reasons,” he said.

“I needed to get something in writing, for me and family members, because everyone forgets things in 10 years’ time.

“Since writing it, it became something to help people in same situation.

“For people being told ‘you can’t do this’, there is hope, you can do it.

“When I read the book it brings it all back; it is hard and emotional to read the hospital notes, it’s hard to believe it’s me.

“It’s been good to do; it gives me the whole picture.”

Hugh took the decision to self-publish his book to give it what he calls “the personal finish”.

“I approached official publishers, but rather than waiting and getting no’s, I thought why not the self-publishing route,” he said.

“Yes you don’t get the backing, but it meant it would have more of a personal finish.”

To learn more about Hugh’s journey or to buy his book, visit hughsmith.me.uk