A local social worker has spent years building up the strength to resume a normal life after a near-fatal crash and is an inspiration to those working to overcome serious injuries.

Every year, dozens of Albertans are killed or injured because someone else got behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

Aaron Libby survived a head-on crash between his van and a truck driven by a drunk driver in July of 2013 and has been battling ever since to recover from his injuries.

Libby was on his way home after spending the day at the Stampede with a developmentally challenged client when the truck headed down the wrong way and slammed into his van.

“I remember sending a text to the online supervisor at work saying that I’d finished, my client was picked up and I was heading home and then, probably part of a week later, trying to piece things together and find out that I’m in a hospital bed,” said Libby.

Libby was hospitalized for months and spent an even longer period in rehab.

He says it was a long time before he was able to hold his daughter Amelia and he is trying to make up for all the time he couldn't play with her. 

The Libby's have since had a second daughter and his wife, Cheryl, says Aaron’s grit and determination to resume a normal life inspires the whole family.

“Just how hard he works ever day to try and do what he can to play with the kids, to make all his appointments, to try and do the chores around the house, to trying to drive. So just how hard he tries to do everything,” said Cheryl.

Aaron's mother, Linda Steves, lives in Moncton, New Brunswick, and was visiting when the crash happened.

She has been back and forth a number of times over the past year and says she is proud of her son for the way he's battled back.

“It's extremely hard for him to do some of the things but he continues to work at it and he inspires anyone that is around him,” said Steves.

Aaron and Cheryl are military reserve officers but since the crash, Aaron has only been in uniform twice. He says he hopes to return to duty soon.

For all he's doing to resume a normal life after nearly being killed by a drunk driver, Aaron Libby is our inspiring Albertan this week.

(With files from Darrel Janz)