New London — In honor of Veterans Day, Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (V.E.T.S.), a Connecticut nonprofit, is hosting author and inspirational speaker Jennifer Field at the Coast Guard Academy on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

Field was an accomplished equestrian, collecting top prizes at competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada when a car accident ended her Olympic dreams, and nearly ended her life when she was just 17.

As the teen lay in a coma, doctors told her mother that her daughter would never walk or talk again; accept it. But Joanne Field refused to give up on her daughter, and sought out treatment after treatment, many of them experimental.

"Maybe I was living in false hope," Joanne Field said, "but it paid off."

Since her accident, Field has graduated college with honors, become an inspirational keynote speaker, and founded the J. Field Foundation to support individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

Whatever your challenge, "you can never think your disease and injury has won," Field said.

Field's talk will be followed by a book sale and signing of "From Blue Ribbon to Code Blue," co-authored by Jennifer Field and her mother. The memoir is the story of Jennifer's journey from determined equestrian, to trauma patient, to world-class survivor. It is a tribute to the human spirit and the power of love.

The event is free and open to the public, however, a $10 donation is suggested. The donation will go directly to V.E.T.S. programs to help veterans and family members with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information go to www.vetsct.org or www.jenniferfield.org, or contact Melissa Floyd at (860) 861-1830 or mbanksfloyd@gmail.com.