Now, a new therapy that has been both highly criticised and praised, is offering new hope to stroke victims all over the world – including Kurri’s Andrew Hunt and his family.

In August 2012, Andrew sustained significant injuries in a dirt bike accident and several days after his release from hospital, suffered a stroke.

Since then the family-of-five’s world has been turned upside down, with wife Lisa (nee Davies) leaving her job as a school teacher to become Andrew’s full-time carer.

Now, after a chance viewing of a 60 Minutes program, the family is heading to the USA where Andrew will undergo treatment that could change his life forever.

Aired on Sunday, April 27 the program shed light on the work of Dr. Ed Tobinick at the Institute of Neural Recovery in Florida.

Being described as the ‘reverse stroke’ treatment, the program told the story of a stroke victim Linda Lumbra, who within minutes of being injected with the drug Etanercept, regained her ability to talk.  

Lisa said the family were first told about the 60 Minutes program by friends and that they couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the affects the drug had on other stroke victims. 

“We had friends calling us and saying you have to watch 60 Minutes tonight,” she said.

“We all sat down and once we saw what was happening, we were just glued.

“I just remember thinking at the time that there is hope for us.”

As soon as the program finished Lisa starting researching the treatment and quickly tracked Dr. Ed Tobinick’s clinic. 

By the next morning she was on the phone to them.

“We made the decision to have an assessment done,” she said.

“It cost $1000 just to find out if you are an eligible candidate for the treatment but we decided as a family that it was something we couldn’t turn away from.”

Carried out over the phone, doctors interviewed Andrew for close to an hour before confirming that he was eligible for the treatment.

“Once we heard those magic words it was all systems go,” Lisa said.

“I walked around in a daze and I just kept thinking, this treatment could give us our life back.”

Andrew and Lisa along with their children Brittany, Sam and Molly will fly to America on May 12, with Andrew booked in to receive his first treatment on May 15. 

Depending on his response, he might also be eligible for a second injection a week later.  

Lisa said it was a big decision to go ahead with the treatment, with each injection costing upwards of $6000.

She said it was also important for them to travel as a family.

“If anyone deserves to see Andrew make a recovery, it’s the kids,” she said.

“Brittany and Sam have been part of this since the day Andrew had his stroke.”

The family are hoping the drug holds the key to giving Andrew his life back.

“The patients describe the effects of the drug as like lifting the fog,” Lisa said.

“I would really like to see Andrew get his cognitive skills back, but I know for him, it is the physical aspects that are the most debilitating.”

Andrew said that he is not getting his hopes us, but that his ultimate goal would be to regain full mobility – including being able to once again ride his beloved motorbike. 

Accompanying the Hunt family on the trip will be family friend and fellow member of cycling group the Kurri Mongrels, Martin Parker.

Andrew said Martin – or ‘Morten Porker’ as he is sometimes known – has been instrumental in his recovery. 

Last year the Kurri Mongrels participated in a number of charity rides for Andrew and just the other week Andrew joined them for a charity ride that raised more than $9000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. 

Now, the Mongrels are once again hoping to raise funds for the Hunt family and the treatment that might turn their life around.

A benefit day is being planned for late-May, when the family are expected to return from America. 

An account has also been set up in their name – ‘Lisa Jane Hunt ITF Andrew David Hunt And Rew Hunt Benefit Day’, BSB 062813, account number 1038 2642.