Sixteen months ago Helen Crow feared she might never take her daughter home again after a car crash which left her fighting for her life.

But now 18-year-old Emma Danskin has finally been discharged from hospital and is starting to rebuild her life at home.

Emma suffered a blood clot on the brain and almost died a number of times in the weeks following the crash.

And as doctors battled to save the desperately ill schoolgirl, her parents Helen and Adrian, who are separated, were warned that she could be left with severe brain damage if she survived.

But the brave teenager has amazed everyone with her determination to get well - and she is now hoping to use her own experience to help others who suffer head injuries.

Emma was left paralysed down the whole of her left side and has had to learn to walk all over again.

And last summer she celebrated her 18th birthday by taking to the dance floor.

Emma, who has had to relearn other basic skills, now walks unaided around the house and only uses a stick to go outside.

During the long process of rehabilitation she has been allowed home on weekend visits - and now she has come home for good, spending weekdays with her mum in Burley-in-Wharfedale and weekends with her dad in Otley.

It is something her mother feared she would never see during the dark days after the crash.

Helen, 37, a Detective Constable, said Emma's home-coming had brought back memories of the fears she had had soon after the accident and of a conversation she had had with her partner Dave.

"I said I may never take my baby home. But after we were given the news last week I sent texts out en masse saying my baby is coming home."

She added: "It is a huge relief for us all and her sisters are absolutely thrilled to bits to have her back."

Emma, who is still receiving rehabilitation from a team of carers at home, said: "It has not sunk in yet, but I am getting there now. It's fantastic - and after 16 months it's about time."

Emma said she still gets tired but is determined to keep working at her recovery.

And she is keeping her positive attitude despite learning that her dream of working in graphic design is no longer an option because of weaknesses she has been left with.

But now she hopes to use her own experience to help others - by becoming a counsellor for people with head injuries.

"I have been told my strengths are verbal - which anyone can see because I never shut up - and I am thinking I want to be a counsellor for people with head injuries.

"I know from personal experience what it is like - and I would like to help other people."