In the UK 100,000 strokes occur each year. Many survivors are left severely disabled. But why is this – when it is well known that some can and do make excellent recoveries?

This reluctant carer had the determination to make sure his wife would overcome her disabilities and lead a normal life again - if that were ever possible. A change of environment was needed. Why not South Africa during the English winter? When they arrived in Fish Hoek, near Cape Town, Rita was wheelchair bound, incontinent and could not make a cup of tea without help. It looked like a long, hard struggle for them both.

• Yet Rita did climb her mountain to recovery. How was this possible?

• And how did a small team of therapists and carers succeed where UK health authorities had failed?

• What reasons did David identify to explain Rita’s unexpected recovery?

• Is it really necessary to travel all the way to South Africa to find a rehabilitation therapy that works?