A DRUNK driver who was left paralysed down the right side of his body after a crash hopes to deter others from making the same mistake.

Lee Isherwood's world was turned upside down when he smashed into a parked car while over the limit on March 31, 2014.

The impact flung Lee out of his vehicle and he was rushed to the intensive care unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where he remained in a coma for three weeks.

“I wouldn’t wish what I’ve gone through on my worst enemy," the 29-year-old from Wrens Nest said.

"But it’s my own fault for drinking and I’m trying to raise as much awareness as possible. It's just not worth the risk and puts others in danger too.

"I had two passengers in the car, but they walked away unharmed and I’m so glad that it was just me that got hurt."

At the time of the crash, the father-of-three, who said he was drinking due to depression, had been on his way to DJ at a party.

Although criminal charges against Lee were dropped, he still paid a high price for his actions.

"Whilst the doctors didn’t quite say I’d never walk again, because my head trauma was so severe they said it was all down to me and I’d have to re-teach my brain to function," he said.

Doctors believe Lee will only get back 80 per cent of his total mobility but he is determined to prove them wrong as is battling back to fitness with regular rehabilitation workouts at the Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, run by the Sandwell Leisure Trust.

Lee explained: “My weekly visits to Portway have become an essential part of my recovery and I absolutely love it. It’s been a really tough year, with lots of highs and lows, but week in, week out I see minor improvements.

"To start with I only had partial use of my right arm on that side, but the leg is stronger now too and I can walk on my own and my coordination and range of mobility is much better, plus I’m slowly getting my old confidence back.

"I’m so motivated to get well, as my three kids have lost out on so much and I’m putting myself through the pain barrier for them as much as me.

"I hope to be able drive again one day, get back to my former tarmacing job, as my old boss is keeping it open for me, and be able to play with the kids like any dad would.”

Natasha Jackson, an instructor for Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: “Lee’s physio referred him to us for our hydrotherapy pool initially, as he couldn’t stand, but he made quick progress and was soon able to support himself with a stick. So we came up with some bespoke functional programmes to improve his overall fitness, help him lose over two stone in weight, and then specifically improve his balance, coordination and strength."

The 24-year-old, from Dudley, said she although there is still a lot of hard work to be done, "if anyone can do it, it’s Lee".

She added: "He just shows how much you can overcome with a bit of self-belief and willpower. He’s been limited to just one session a week so far, because he relies on his carer for transport, but he’s looking at coming for extra sessions on his own and on the bus, which will speed up his rehabilitation even more.”