Joseph English was living his best life when a car accident changed everything. He suffered life changing injuries, and the doctors told him there was no chance of recovery. Facing life as a quadriplegic, Joe lost his business, his romantic partner, and, for a while, his will to carry on. His story, told with extensive contributions from his family and friends, charts his journey from being dead at the roadside to finding something to live for as he recounts his progress from injury to survival.

With absolute candour, Joe tells the whole story of his accident, his rehabilitation, and his recovery. Full of advice and suggestions from professionals in the rehabilitation journey, this book is remarkably frank about the struggles Joe has endured, and the times when he felt as if life wasn't worth living. It addresses all the most difficult issues around life after paralysis, including loss of identity and letting go of the past, as well as providing practical information on topics such as assistive technology, financial claims and legal support. It also outlines the various roles of those in the rehabilitation team. His doctors and specialist practitioners give their unique perspectives into their processes and procedures, helping to demystify them, while Joe's family and friends ask the kinds of questions readers will be asking too, making this an invaluable guide to what to expect for anyone going through a similar experience. The book shows by lived example that there is always more to live for.

It is essential reading for those with paraplegia, quadriplegia and other spinal injuries, and their families, friends and care-givers. It is also valuable for neuropsychologists, neurologists and other rehabilitation therapists, as well as students in medicine, nursing, allied health and neuropsychology.


Part 1. The Accident and the Aftermath. 1. Dead at the Roadside. 2. The Decision to Live or Die. 3. Seeing Red. 4. Learning To Let Go of My Old Life. 5. On My Way Back. 6. The Breakup. Part 2. It Takes a Village: The team and the technology supporting Joe's recovery. 7. "This Is What Your Life Is Going To Look Like " 8. What Can You Expect in Rehab? 9. Working With Your Case Manager (approved by Katie). 10. Rebuilding Your Life. 11. Managing Food and Weight. 12. Working with a Neuropsychologist. 13. Up, Up and Away. 14. The World of Assistive Technology. Part 3. Hope for a Brighter Future: The recovery journey never really ends, but there are better days ahead 15. Funding Your Future. 16. Care and Support. 17. Letting Go and Moving On. 18. The Love and Support of Friends and Family. 19. A Remarkable Journey. 20. Afterword. 21. Appendix 1: Organisations that can help you. 22. Appendix 2: A basic introduction to spinal injuries.