A TEENAGER left paralysed after diving into a shallow swimming pool 14 months ago is finally back home.

Tristan Green, 19, broke his neck in two places after the accident at a friend’s house.

He has been unable to move from the chest down and is it unknown if he will regain movement.

Tristan has spent 11 months in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in Buckinghamshire, six weeks in Colchester General Hospital and six weeks in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

Now he has secured a two-bedroom ground-floor flat where he receives round-the-clock care.

The flat was furnished thanks to public donations after costs to Tristan’s parents, James and Dawn, to visit him in hospital each weekend, took their toll.

Tristan said: “The injuries made me grow up a lot.

“I can’t do a lot of stuff I was able to do before. I know now I am going to look after my body properly, whereas before I wouldn’t have cared.

“In this day and age they should tell kids in school about spinal cord injuries.

“At first I didn’t have a clue what a spinal cord injury was. Now anything can happen. It it is a waiting game.”

The accident left Tristan’s neck broken in two places and his spinal cord was bruised.

All Tristan recalls is floating to the surface of the water and being in the helicopter on his way to hospital.

He has shown some signs of improvement and can lift his arms to shoulder height.

He can feed himself some snack foods using splints. He lost four stones in weight while in hospital.

But there is hope things could improve further.

In November Tristan will meet a surgeon at Stoke Mandeville Hospital to discuss the possibility of tendon transfers.

The surgery would mean tendons would be taken out of his thighs and used to recreate his triceps which have wasted away.

Tendons could also be taken out of his forearm to be used in his thumb and index finger – vital to help him regain some more self-dependence – and the ability to play on his much loved Xbox games console.

He is making the most of spending time with his family, siblings Scott, Zoe, Jodie, and Harvey, and has been using his Colchester United season ticket.

His flat, in Highwoods, has a washing machine thanks to a £1,500 donation from the Grapes pub charity quiz team.

Tristan said: “All I had at first was a TV in my bedroom, clothes, my Xbox, DVDs and some speakers.

Everyone has helped me.”

Dad James, 38, who estimated the travel costs to see Tristan in hospital had mounted to £600 a month, said: “Everyone’s help has restored my faith in humanity and community spirit again.”

Tristan has thanked his parents and supporters, who have followed his Facebook page Tristan's Road to Recovery.