A WOMAN who feared she might be paralysed for life following a car crash, is back at work thanks to a scheme designed to help those with ill health get into the office.

Health visitor Elaine Cotterill lost all feeling in her legs after her car was hit from behind by another vehicle.

"I had the children in the car and I remember braking as hard as I could and I popped a disc," said Mrs Cotterill, who works for Hartlepool Primary Care Trust.

She added: "I remember crying because I couldn't move my legs.

"I thought I was paralysed but thankfully the MRI scan showed I had slipped a disc.

"Now I realise you should never take your back for granted, as when it goes it is terrible."

After being off work for 13 weeks, the 42-year-old took part in an occupational health scheme to ease her gradually back into work.

"After doing nothing for 13 weeks, going straight back full-time would have been too much to handle and would have probably led to more sick leave," Mrs Cotterill said.

"For weeks, I was numb and then the pain was terrible. It used to take me two and a half hours to take a shower and I couldn't even use my arms properly as everything shuts down to protect your spine.

"I do still suffer some pain and need physio, but the graduated return to work really did help as it gave me a chance to recuperate."

The human resources manager at Hartlepool Primary Care Trust, Graeme Lennon, said: "The graduated return to work scheme is one of a variety of policies we have for our staff, which also include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, MIR scans and counselling."