A FATHER left disabled by a car crash is refusing to let his impairment get the better of him.

Martin Leppard from Brighton became the victim of complex regional pain syndrome after the crash four years ago.

The 32-year-old was left with a severe ankle injury after he was struck by a car on London Road.

Martin tried to avoid the car but crashed, sending him flying his car into a bus stop.

It was the emergency stop he performed which caused an injury to his left ankle that brought on the condition.

CRPS brings on intense pain for the sufferer, which can fluctuate dependent on temperatures or the slightest touch to the affected area.

Martin, who had son Ethan, with wife Sarah in July last year, was diagnosed with the condition 12 months after his accident, despite seeing multiple doctors who could not understand what it was.

He is the owner of H2 Productions, an events management company which he set up 15 years ago.

The injury meant he had to change his role.

Martin said: “The pain is 24/7 now and it has spread to my left arm as well. You can’t really describe how bad the pain is because it changes, but it is always there.

“Sarah became my carer, which put a lot of strain on the two of us. It took us a while to have Ethan because of what happened, and it is frustrating that I won’t be able to play football or run with him.”

Martin considered having his leg amputated so he did not have to live on medication, but changed his mind. He said CRPS is known as the “suicide condition” in America because of the severity of the pain it causes.

Martin’s life changed after his injury. He was an avid cyclist who completed the London to Brighton bike ride each year and was planning on taking part in a marathon in the near future.

He said: “I had to cancel my gym membership and was then struggling just to walk from one side of my house to the other. I understand why people commit suicide from the pain.”

Martin is preparing to run the Brighton Color Run on September 23.

To sponsor him, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search Martin Leppard.