Zara Dyer is being taught to walk again after a road traffic collision in the Cayman Islands left her with six bleeds on the brain, a fractured neck, paralysis on the right side of her body, difficulty with her sight and with communicating and swallowing.

She is also having to learn basics such as eating, drinking and washing in a recovery which her family and closest friends say could take two years of hard and difficult treatment.

The 29-year-old had been working on a large catamaran on Grand Cayman as chief of the crew and scuba diving instructor for the past two years when she suffered a seizure while driving on Saturday, September 3.

It led to her losing control of the car and crashing into a wall.

The former Carlton Colville Primary, Gisleham Middle and Sir John Leman High schools pupil was transferred by a special aircraft to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida where she stayed in the trauma and intensive care unit for two days.

Her family were warned that they should fly out to see her immediately – and now they are appealing for financial help to bring her back to Lowestoft to continue her treatment and rehabilitation.

Her father and mother, Peter and Judith Dyer, flew to Miami and joined up with their two other children Mark and Zoe.

Mr Dyer, a retired local policeman, events organiser and charity worker, said: 'When we arrived Zara was moved to the neurological evaluation ward.

'The medical staff here have been brilliant and we were so relieved that Zara was out of immediate danger but still has a very long road to hopeful recovery.

'She is being taught to walk again and learning the basics of feeding, drinking, washing and dressing herself.'

Ms Dyer's partner Ian Brown said: 'The road to Zara's recovery is going to be difficult and painful and could take two years of hard treatment.

'I set up a Just Giving funding page to ask for any financial help from anyone who knows her or the family.

'Hospital staff have assessed that £50,000 would be needed for continued remedial care for Zara's condition to cover the treatment of further trauma brain injury rehabilitation, mobility transport and so forth.'

Mr Dyer added: 'The response on the Just Giving page has been heartwarming and we would all like to thank everyone who has donated so far for their generosity, but there is still a way to go to reach the target.

'Zara has been undergoing four hours a day intensive occupational, physical and speech therapy and is making progress. She is aware that her friends are supporting her and sending good thoughts her way.'

? To donate to the fund-raising campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/GetZaraDyerOnHerFeet