BOSTON -- An estimated 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year. For those who survive, the road to recovery is long. Therapy is essential.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported Monday on a young stroke survivor who is making great strides.

"You say for better and for worse, and those words mean a lot to me," said Tanya Hill, of Bellingham, Mass.

Tanya and her husband, Steven's life took a turn for the worst last May. They were on a Caribbean vacation when Steven Hill, 33, suffered a massive stroke. His insurance flew him to the States, but not back to Massachusetts. Angel MedFlight stepped in to help, and he was flown back to Boston to be admitted to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

"When he first came home, you couldn't do anything without shadowing him. He couldn't brush his teeth, he couldn't eat his meals," Tanya Hill said.

Since Steven was discharged from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in August, he has been undergoing intense rehabilitation. Five days a week he works with Spaulding therapists in Framingham and Wellesley.

"It's kind of like a train ride right now. Everything is going pretty fast," Tanya said.

"He's climbing stairs fine. He's walking around on his own. We've weaned him off a cane," said Ashley Saulnier, a physical therapist with Spaulding Framingham. "He's so drive. He's so motivated."

The focus Monday was on his weakened ankle, and his weakened right arm and right hand.

"His right ankle doesn't flex as well as we want it to, so it throws off his walking pattern," Saulnier said.

By practicing simple tasks like feeding the cat, he is beginning to regain strength in his hand and arm.

"I know that's very frustrating for him," Tanya said.

Steven is about to get a device that uses electrical stimulation to improve how his hand works. Therapists say botox injections will help him regain use of both his hand and ankle.

"He'll be able to strike down with his heel first, and then bring his toe down," Saulnier said.

Hill is grateful for every accomplishment, big or small.

"To see him progress really warms my heart every day," she said.

The Hills say they get their strength from the support of family, friends and the community. The Steven T. Hill Stroke Foundation has been set up to help Steven get the help he needs.