Ed Smith is a writer of humour. From the Ashes of My Dreams is the story of his struggle to come to grips with quadriplegia after a motor vehicle accident and describes his adventures and misadventures of seventeen months in rehabilitation centres in Newfoundland and Toronto. The author details his frustrations and triumphs and, from his own experience, offers critical observations on certain aspects of health care. With the help of family and friends, and support from people all across Canada, Ed Smith persevered despite many personal challenges to return to what he loves: family, home, and, of course, writing.
From the Ashes of My Dreams is Ed Smith's seventh book. His humour column, "The View from Here," has been running in Newfoundland newspapers for more than eighteen years. He is the winner of the International 2001 Gabriel Award for "writing that uplifts and inspires the human spirit" and the 2001 Canadian Nurses' Award for "excellence in writing and broadcasting in the field of health care."