Six stories of courage, expertise, endurance or the sheer human spirit which takes individuals to the brink of success or failure.
4: Ewen Riddick was 18 months away from an honours degree. But a dive into the waves on a Portuguese beach put an end to those hopes. The waves hid a sandbank and Ewen's neck was broken. Total paralysis looked inevitable.
He entered Stoke Mandeville Hospital on a stretcher. He was determined to leave on his feet.
Written and presented by Tony Wilkinson Reseacher LIZ WRIGHT
Executive producer CYRIL GATES Director JONATHAN BULLEN BBC Manchester