When you’re in hospital with a spinal cord injury, thinking about getting on with your life can be difficult. The NHS teams, and the charity staff – from Aspire and our colleagues at SIA and Back-up – that work in the Spinal Centres, help the patients look to the future but sometimes a helping hand is needed.

Aspire’s new book, It’s My Life, features the personal stories of 25 people who have been through that very situation. Some have gone on to win Paralympic gold medals whilst others have returned to their careers or to look after their families. The scenarios might be different, but the message is always the same: whatever your dreams and aspirations, a spinal cord injury doesn’t mean the end of them. The book will be made available to all new spinal injury patients during their rehab, helping them, and their families, think about life after hospital.

With a foreword by John Inverdale, and images by award-winner photographer Max Forsythe, It’s My Life isn’t just for patients, though. You can order your own copy by emailing Hannah; the book is priced at £15 plus postage and packing.