TEENAGE dreams of a modelling career have come true for a young woman who was left in a coma for nine months after a devastating car crash.

Doctors told Aletia Davies she would never walk or talk again after the car she was travelling in hit a tree.

But the 20-year-old from Almeley has defied the medical experts and this week is “over the moon” after signing a contract with a top modelling agency.

Her mother, Janet, describes her journey as “inspirational” and has already begun writing a book about Aletia’s remarkable story.

Aletia’s world was turned upside down shortly after she began working as an apprentice with a Llandrindod Wells’ hair salon.

The former pupil at Eardisley Primary School and Kington’s Lady Hawkins’ School was a passenger in a car when the accident happened near Llandrindod in October, 2011.

She was air-lifted by an RAF Sea King helicopter to Cardiff University Hospital and remained in a coma for four months.

Aletia had suffered a traumatic brain injury and was left a quarter blind in both eyes and partially deaf in one ear.

Her mother, who remained at her bedside night and day for nine months, said: “I watched her going through every mother’s nightmare.”

Janet was told her daughter would never walk or talk again. Says Aletia: “I didn’t think I’d be able to follow my dream to be a model because of everything that had happened, but I proved the doctors wrong, I am very determined!”

Helped by the arrival of Milo, a one-year-old Labradoodle who has become her new best friend, continues to receive rehabilitation treatment.

“My face has been reconstructed, I haven’t got a lower jaw, but I’ve got five metal plates,” says brave Aletia. “I’ve got a scar on my shoulder having broken my collar bone, but even with scars I’ve got a modelling contract, I am over the moon!

“I’m going to keep going, I haven’t really got a choice, and I am getting there,” says a determined Aletia.

Though her injuries have left her unable to laugh or cry, Aletia has not lost her sense of humour.

“I’m good at making people laugh, and if anything my humour has become wickeder!” she says.

And the road to recovery received a huge boost when she went to the Talent Management modelling agency in Bristol and her portfolio was accepted.

“She hasn’t stopped smiling for over a week,” added Janet. “Doctors said she would never walk or talk again, but she has proved them all wrong.”

The mother has faithfully kept a diary of Aletia’s progress and hopes to put into a book.

“There is so much to tell, and I think Aletia’s story would be inspirational for others,” she added.

As the trauma of these past four years is “still raw”, Janet admits that she has to feel in the mood to continue her writing.

Yet despite all the difficulties she has encountered, Aletia has stuck to her hopes for a modelling career – and is now joined on her journey by Milo.

Aletia’s neuro-psychologist, who helps with a weakness affecting her left side, had suggested that a dog might provide therapy for her.

Janet said: “Milo is lovely and while he’s also very lively, he senses that there’s something wrong with Aletia, and he’s very calm with her.”