This is Staffordshire --MOTORCYCLIST Brian Finney is home for Christmas after spending eight months in hospital following an horrific A500 crash.
The 44-year-old needed to have his left leg and arm amputated after hitting a lamp-post on April 7.
He was left fighting for his life at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire before recuperating at Burslem's Haywood Hospital for months while he waited for a suitable home.
Now friends and family have raised more than £4,000 to help Brian to move into his specially-adapted bungalow in Mackenzie Crescent, Cheadle.
Former JCB worker Brian, who is known as Snail, said: "I am so grateful for everyone's help and fund-raising. It feels good to be in my home.
"But I don't want to have to rely on other people for everything. I know I could get someone to come and put my bins out but if I can do something then I will. I want to keep my independence."
Brian suffers from the phantom limb condition which gives the sensation that an amputated limb is still attached to his body.
He said: "It is horrendous. I feel like my arm and leg are both still there at times and it hurts.
"I have to put my hand over the end of the limb to convince my brain that they are not there anymore.
"A few times I forgot that I was missing my body parts. I was in the shower when I went to put my left foot down but just fell over and then tried to grab something with my left arm so I just fell to the floor."
Brian believes he is unlucky due to his connection with the number 13.
He was born on May 13, he was brought up in a house with the number 13, before moving to another street with the same number and during 2013 he lost two limbs in the A500 crash and nearly his life.
He has received £1,000 compensation for his injuries.
He added: "Every day can be different.
"I am very up and down but it is early days yet.
"I managed to walk to the shop on my prosthetic leg the other day and I now have a mobility scooter." Friends have rallied round to help Brian, who used to live in Young Street, Cheadle, following the crash near Shelton New Road.
Bird in Hand landlady Kathy Miller and friends helped to raise £480, friend Graham Smith donated a disability scooter, and many friends spent hours by his bedside in hospital.
Businessman Mick Baskerville aged 48, of Prince George Street, Cheadle, said: "I have known Brian for a few years and met him through friends.
"When he had his accident we were all devastated for him and what he had been through."
Mick and wife Suzanne raised £1,700 for Brian through a charity race night and auction.
Mick, who runs Premier Taxis in the town, added: "We just wanted to do something to help him.
"Cheadle is quite a close community so a lot of people were willing to help out and donate things for the auction.
"When something like that happens to someone you know it makes you think how you'd feel in that situation." Reported by This is 1 day ago.