'I have this whole new appreciation for life'

A former rugby player who suffered a life-changing injury has taken part in a documentary film following his road to recovery.

Ed Jackson, who played for several clubs including Bath, broke his neck in an accident in 2017.

Doctors warned him he would never walk again, but Mr Jackson defied the odds and even began climbing mountains. 'The Mountain Within Me' follows his road to recovery.

“I have this whole new layer of appreciation for life which makes me want to get out there and live it," he said.

Mr Jackson said he worked through some "dark moments" during his four-month hospital stay, adding that is was "really tough" to hear that he would never walk again.

"I said to myself - I'm going to do everything I can to get better.

"Not just for me, but for everyone else as well."

He admitted that he did not think he would regain his mobility, but six months after the accident, he was able to stand.

A year later, he reached the summit of Snowdon, and has also scaled peaks in the French Alps and the Himalayas.

"I spent every waking moment trying to wiggle my toes - fortunately, there was still a connection past the level of my injury."

"I’ve been very fortunate to have the recovery I have had," he added.

The Mountain Within Me premieres at The Little Theatre in Bath on Tuesday, followed by a sold-out Q&A with Mr Jackson.

The film will be released in cinemas on 23 August.

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