There?s nothing you can do to take away the pain that Sebastian DeMoraes goes through every day when he realises that he will never be able to hug his wife and daughter the way he used too.

In February Mr. DeMoraes was driving home after work when a drunk driver smashed into his car along Middle Road and changed his life forever.

Despite a five-hour operation to save his right arm, the 52-year-old Brazilian, who has lived in Bermuda for 16 years, still faces a long and painful struggle to regain the use of his right hand.

He will have to wear a cast, complete with a metal frame and supports for his fingers for another year before he will know just how extensive the damage was.

However Mr. DeMoraes does not want pity, he wants to appeal to all Bermudians not to drink and drive and has embarked on a personal mission to bring this message across loud and clear to anyone who will listen. Speaking to yesterday, Mr. DeMoraes said some people thought nothing of getting intoxicated and getting behind the wheel of a car.

?But I can tell you from experience that such a reckless decision can ruin not only the life of the drunk driver, but also the lives of their victims and their families,? he said.

As far as injuries sustained in the horrific crash, Mr. DeMoraes suffered a broken collarbone and his right arm was broken in several places.

He also suffered a crushed elbow and severe nerve damage to the right hand side of his body and while the scars have started to heal, the emotional scars have not.

?The night of the crash, I had to undergo extensive rehabilitative surgery and my doctors told me afterwards that I will have to have rehabilitative treatment several times a week for at least a year. Even then, I may not regain the use of my right arm and hand,? he said.

It was hard for him not to cry as he removed the cast to show the arm and hand which now hang limp by his side. ?What is worse is that my wife and daughter will suffer as well. My injuries have affected my ability to provide for them and to enjoy the simple pleasures in life like hugging them or taking a swim, or even riding a bike.?

?So please remember that if you drive while under the influence, you are taking your life and the lives of others into your hands and the consequences of your act is likely to be devastating,? he said.

Before the accident Mr. DeMoraes worked as a cleaner, but said yesterday that he was not sure how long it would be before he could work again.

As he left yesterday, Mr. DeMoraes said he just wanted people to stop and think before they decided to drink and drive. ?Please, just think about the lives you will be destroying. Think about me.?