Do you think there is an afterlife? Imagine being able to experience life after a near-death encounter and catching a glimpse of it. This is what happened to Nicola Hodges, who is 32 years old. When a risky change in her epilepsy medication made her blood uncomfortably acidic in 2019, she was taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent. She rapidly fell into a coma and had a 20% chance of survival, therefore she was maintained on dialysis.
After being told, her family members came to her side in anguish, believing they would not have much time left to spend with her. However, Nicola appeared to awaken as if a miracle had occurred. She remembered hearing words that sounded like they belonged in a medical drama. The doctors informed her family that if she recovered consciousness, she would be different, which surprised them.
Nicola stated, “My family was warned that if I woke up, I was going to be very different,” according to The Mirror. You can’t get over something like this easily. “The only way I can describe the coma is as a near-death experience,” she added, describing her experience while in a coma. There were no heavenly white gates, though, so it wasn’t like what you hear. I only recall feeling warm and seeing amber light; I didn’t see anything else.
But her encounter convinced her that there was definitely something after death. Unfortunately, six months later, Nicola had numerous brain hemorrhages after falling due to a seizure. Overnight, the damage altered her; she compared her mental state to cotton wool. She became delusional as a result of the accident, and her wit and clarity diminished.
Nicola struggled with ongoing disorientation, loneliness, and sensory overload, which made her feel more and more alienated. Even the most basic facts, like the day of the week, were difficult for Nicola to recall. She found it simpler to interact with children than to follow adult discussion at one time, so she tended to the kids’ table. She remarked, “I believed I could vanish and nobody would notice.”
Nothing made sense to Nicola, and things weren’t getting any better. She later lost hearing in one ear after falling down the stairs, and she almost died from another seizure. In spite of everything, Nicola found meaning in words. She started to write her tale. She started writing down her feelings in a crimson notepad and a makeshift laptop.
I had made several attempts to sit down and compose it, but those annoying voices we all have kind of told me, “You’re setting the bar too high, kid, you can’t do this,” but she added, “I kind of had enough of thinking like this.” But after reading the manuscript, her father, Nick, who doesn’t say much, said it was revolutionary and that it should be published.
At the Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Fair, which is close to Lingfield, Kent, Nicola Hodges will be signing, selling, and promoting her just released book, Spirit Born. August 24 through August 25.#oxtedpic.twitter.com/JACa7DAfhN #edenbridge
July 30, 2025, Morning Mist Publishing (@MorningMistBook)
Her father’s three words served her the last motivation she needed to finally believe in herself. She signed with independent publisher Morning Mist following eight months of rejections. They offered her a five-book deal in addition to accepting her debut novel, Spirit Born.
Nicola, who is 37 years old, is the owner of Crazy’s Creative Corner on TikTok in addition to being a published novelist who gave life another opportunity. This page serves as a writing community for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, or trauma. Her tale continues to serve as a living illustration of how optimism, perseverance, and self-belief can transform someone’s life and perform miracles.
