A BEBINGTON woman who has been diagnosed with locked-in syndrome after suffering a stroke has written a book with her eyes.

Mia Austin, 29, was left paralysed from the neck down in 2009.

Mia is now unable to speak and can only communicate through eye movement and a spelling chart.

She also has to be fed through a tube.

Her book 'In the blink of an eye', will be launched on Friday, April 27 at Gifts For Me and You in Thingwall.

In the introduction, Mia says: "I must have woken on the morning of November 16, 2009 totally oblivious as to what was going to happen because I'd been to work as usual, nothing different, followed by the gym where I did my normal workout.

"I got home and went for a bath and then BAM!

"Welcome to my story all about me. Now you can get into the head of a stroke victim."

In 2017 Mia completed a criminology course at Wirral Metropolitan College before signing up to a forensics course with the Open University.

This year she will begin another course in criminal justice.

Mia's dad Rick told the Globe: "Personally, I feel incredibly proud of Mia.

"To write a book in quite literally a blink of an eye is outstanding.

"It took her around one year to write but it was a very laborious task, using her eyes to choose each letter.

"She's a very determined young lady and has recently launched a campaign for disabled travellers.

"Before her stroke, she was a travel agent and she's always campaigning or raising money for charity.

"Remarkably when she is on holiday she will always get in touch with causes there. She very much has a charity mind.

"So far the response from the book has been fantastic but Mia is always looking for feedback and would love people to get in touch to tell her what they think.

"Everyone has been very supportive.

"I hope everyone enjoyed the book, Mia is very keen for people to read her story and to see what everyone thinks.

“She’s on her facebook page all the time as she’s stuck in the house, she can’t speak so she has a computer which recognises her eye gaze and will spell things out.

"Anyone interested in following Mia's journey can follow her on her Facebook page 'Mountains for Mia'."

To receive a copy of the book email Mia via blabbermouth35@hotmail.com or visit www.amazon.co.uk/Blink-Eye-Triumph-Locked-Syndrome/dp/1543488919/

Keep up to date with Mia via https://www.facebook.com/MountainsForMia/