A YOUNG woman left paralysed in an horrific motorway crash today spoke about her determination to face the future following a 15-month battle after she was left close death.

Kathryn Gottweiss, 21, was left paralysed from the neck down after a five-vehicle accident on the M61 north of Bolton in October 1999.

Doctors have told her that it is unlikely she will be able to walk again -- but fiercely independent Kathryn is still looking forward to the future.

Now she is waiting for her parents' house in Spring Meadow, Darwen, to be specially adapted to allow her to return home.

And she has revealed that two of her biggest wishes are to get a computer so that she can keep in touch with friends and family by e-mail and get tickets to see her hero Jon Bon Jovi in concert.

Kathryn, who is living at Birch Hall Nursing Home in Darwen until her house is ready, said: "I've been out of hospital for three weeks now and I've already been to my local pub the Craven Heifer with my friends for a few drinks.

"If things go to plan I should be able to go home at the end of March. I'm glad to be going home but I'm nervous about doing things for myself.

"The garage is being converted so I'll have my own flat. My mum and dad have said I can have my own telly with Sky -- so that should stop me and dad arguing over who gets to watch their favourite programmes.

"I can't wait to be able to have my music on really loud and the heating turned up.

"I can't feel anything below my shoulders so I can't feel heat and always want the heating on high when everyone else is sweating."

Kathryn was left fighting for her life after the accident when her boyfriend's car in which she was a passenger hit an abandoned vehicle on the motorway. Her boyfriend David Paget, of Leigh, managed to get out but before he could help Kathryn free the car was hit by a Ford Transit van and Kathryn was thrown into the middle lane of the carriageway.

She suffered damage to her spinal cord, a broken right arm, six broken ribs and a punctured lung.

She has spent 15 months recovering in the spinal unit at Southport General Hospital.

While she was there she used the unit's special computer, which she operated using her chin, to e-mail her friends and use the internet.

And now Kathryn is saving up to buy a similar machine to install in her flat.

Her funds have been given a boost by Darwen Health Centre which donated the £416 proceeds from its Christmas carol service.

Anita Jowett, who organised the service, said: "The nurses at the health centre nominated Kathryn for the money.

"We have heard so much about how brave and strong she is, so we were delighted to be able to give her this money."

Kathryn will get compensation for her injuries but that is still two or three years away and she needs a computer now.

She said: "I haven't used a computer since before Christmas and I relied on it all the time to keep in touch with people. I can't wait to get one of my own."

Kathryn's mum and dad Diane and Steven are also looking forward to their daughter returning home.

Diane said: "Kathryn is tetraplegic so she can't use her arms and legs.

"We have been told that after two years the consultants will be able to give a long-term prognosis, but it is unlikely she will be able to walk again.

"But you never know what will happen and what medical breakthroughs there will be.

"We just want to thank the people of Darwen for donating this money to Kathryn, and everyone at the health centre.

"It is vital that she gets a computer to increase her independence and this money will go towards that."