Daily e-Update

Today is Demo Day - Demolishing The Family's Home of 15+ Years

We are now 24 hours into this process and what an experience it has been.  I "know" the family thru video only but I feel such a complete connection with them.  We saw the "door knock" yesterday and I don't remember a more emotional hour.  The family's story is unbelievably compelling - one that makes them as deserving of this new home as any I could ever imagine.

 

The most poignant moment for me so far today was walking through their old home this morning and seeing the shape the home was in as well as the layout - and imagining "coach" managing his way around the house and Jacob right on his heels in his wheel chair.  The home is on a fairly steep slope and it's elevated above the ground - with no ramp anywhere for easy access for a child in a wheel chair and a dad that can no longer lift the child to carry him up the stairs since he himself now struggles to get up the steps.

 

They just simply deserve the new home we are delivering today - period! 

 

Hollywood But Real Life
This is definitely a TV show where everything is timed and camera angles have to be right before things move forward BUT the spirit of the family, particularly coach and his son Jacob breaks thru all the structure of the filming process – and inspires you in  places you didn’t know you had.  Coach told the story of how when he got the diagnosis that he had ALS, he allowed one day off from work and the family's normal life to allow his wife to cry and be upset and that is the ONLY day he has missed work through this entire experience.  “One day honey” he said, “that’s all we get.  Tomorrow, we go back to doing what we do and we will never stop.”  He then turned and walked up the steps leading up to his current home, one painful step at a time but with a huge smile and even bigger outlook. 

 

I watched this entire event within the small confines of the mobile media trailer right in front of the house. It was parked on a slight incline and we stood for an hour or more in a small cramped space.  I remember  getting restless, even frustrated because my back and knees became very sore from standing still for so long.  I needed to move around to get the stiffness out but couldn’t because the cameras were rolling.  As I stood there it dawned on me what coach goes thru daily yet he has no apparent bitterness and it doesn’t affect his outlook or his ability to be a loving husband, dad and coach.  I found myself inspired by just being in the presence of the one who has inspired an entire community by fighting thru adversity while almost ignoring it.  He doesn’t let anything stop him from doing what matters. 

 

Volunteer Needs
If you have Design Interior abilities, we have needs.  But don't email me (have I said that too many times? :) go to the extremephn.com website and go to the Volunteer Page and look for the link called:  Items Needed Donate Design/Interior Items

 

Public Viewing
If you would like to attend the build site, there is a Public Viewing Area & VIP Tent.  It will be open from 8AM - 8PM from Tuesday 2/23 through Saturday 2/27.

 

Parking for the shuttles to the site will be at Charles Moultrie Park at 10695 Highway 116, Hamilton, GA 31811.   No cars will be permitted at the build site.  Shuttles only