Ladner's Jordy Johnson spent about six months during his recovery from a fall off a roof writing a book - The Willpower to Live.
"Writing this book has helped my recovery. It's made my recovery easier and made me realize who I am as a person," he says.
Johnson, 37, has a launch event for his self-published book planned for next Friday.
He was working on a friend's roof when he fell about 14 feet onto concrete last January. He suffered a caved-in skull, a collapsed lung and 14 breaks on six ribs.
Johnson says he was able to make it to his friend's door and was transported by air to Royal Columbian Hospital.
Taking lots of punches to the head during fights while growing up in Ladner (it seems like he was getting ready for the "ultimate bellringer") and his late mom, Karen Johnson Taggart, helped him get to the door after his fall, Johnson says.
"I believe that it was her spirit that helped me get to the door that day."
Johnson, who runs a roofing company with a partner, says he underwent three craniotomy surgeries in 10 months and also fought through a staph infection on his head.
His step dad, Bob Taggart, took care of him as he recovered, Johnson notes.
Johnson got one of his friends to type his "chicken scratch" and other friend to edit the book.
The book release party will be held on Sept. 16 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Ladner Legion. Visit www. thewillpowertolive.com for more on the book, which Johnson says will also be available at Black Bond Books in Ladner.
