EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION - Cry America! Cry!

I’m keeping a tally – I cried FIVE TIMES watching this week’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Did you see it? Come on, you got a little choked up, you can admit it. We’re all friends here. 

This episode focused on the Hughes family of Louisville, Kentucky. Patrick John and Patricia Hughes have three boys – Cameron, Jesse, and 19 year old Patrick Henry, who was born without any eyes and is restricted to a wheelchair, unable to fully use his arms and legs. Patrick Henry has a gift for music and a sunny outlook on life that is humbling and inspiring. He plays a mean piano and is a member of the University of Louisville marching band, where he plays trumpet while his dad pushes him around the field in his wheelchair in synch with the rest of the band. Pretty unbelievable, and I mean that in a good way. 

Of course, their house sucks, or they wouldn’t be on Extreme Makeover Home Edition, would they? Narrow doors, narrow hallways, small bathroom, cramped kitchen – it’s just no good for a blind guy in a wheelchair, to say nothing of the rest of the family. Cameron, 16, and Jesse, 12, have to share a bedroom, and mom and dad don’t get a lot of privacy. 

Ty Pennington and his crew of hyper-enthusiastic designers descend on the Hughes home with their characteristic high energy and can-do spirit. What do they feed these people, anyway? They’re so darn peppy. They must have strong coffee on the Extreme Makeover bus. The team’s goals are to destroy the Hughes house (which sounds mean, but wait) and build them a new house that will give Patrick Henry the independence he deserves and the space the rest of the family needs. As usual, Ty recruits a bunch of contractors, some generous sponsors, and a screaming mob of townsfolk to help them.

You know, just once I’d like to see them let a screaming mob of Vikings tear apart the house instead of all that heavy demolition gear. Maybe they could borrow the “what’s in your wallet” Vikings from those Capital One commercials. 

The team even did an extreme makeover of the marching band’s practice field at U of L, replacing the old worn out grass field with a huge expanse of white sand that looked pretty but couldn’t have been easy to march on. Ah, I’m just kidding – the new field was grass. 

The new house was fantastic, a spacious mansion with plenty of room for Patrick Henry, cool customized rooms for the kids and parents, and loads of high tech appliances and gadgets. You can check it out in the photo gallery on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition page.

But enough about the house – this kid, Patrick Henry, was amazing. He was born disabled, sure, but he was blessed with two fantastic parents who sacrificed a lot for him and clearly did an incredible job raising him, because he has the most inspirational outlook on life and refuses to let himself be limited by his disabilities. “God made me blind and unable to walk,” Patrick Henry says. “Big deal. With music I know that I can do anything I set my mind to.” He’s not just saying that – he believes it 100%.

And that’s where the whole crying-five-times thing comes in. You’d have to be made of stone not to be touched by this wonderful kid and his supportive family. It really made me take a proverbial step back and do a little comparison/contrast between my life and Patrick Henry’s life. Before the show began I was kind of stressed out about the burnt-out heating element in our hot water heater. After the show, that hot water heater didn’t seem like that big of a deal at all. Thanks Patrick Henry, for being so awesome. 

Next time, I am going to keep a running tally of how many times I cry and how many times people hug. There’s a lot of hugging going down on Extreme Makeover Home Edition.  You can't really blame 'em.

-- Dave Campbell

Comments

[Mom]

Incredible! Patrick Henry is one of God's most precious teachers. I had seen a feature on him & his Dad during the College Football season. It was obvious then the strong bond they had with Dad pushing him through all the routines with the Univ. of Louisville marching band. But seeing last nights' show was just amazing. Patrick Henry's attitude is infectious. His musical talent is extraordinary -- I hope you saw the clips at the end from when he was a toddler sitting at the piano. My ten-year-old son was watching with me and said -"Mom, I thought blind people weren't able to really do anything -- now I know I was wrong." Thanks ABC for keeping an awesome show going.

[Karen]

This is one of the best shows on TV, but I just can't watch it. I cry thoughout the whole show!

[David D. Campbell]

Me, too Karen! I'm crying pretty much non-stop. But ABC pays me to watch, so I must be strong...

[Carlene Hartle]

The talent that young man has is amazing. Hope he makes a CD. When he sang at the end of the show I thought my heart would stop. Tears, Tears, and more Tears.

[anita]

Hubbie and I watched this one. You nailed it. I can't complain about any ache or pain ever again! I want a CD and mostly I want this kid to have a musical career. I make sure I have kleenex in my pocket as soon as this program begins. :-)

[Barbara Arnette]

I was so touched by Patrick Henry. What an awesome young man. Something is wrong with this world if he isn't signed for a recording contract. I have never been so touched by a television program. The clip of him as a baby at the piano at the end was amazing. He was so smart as a baby and his wisdom as a young man is inspirational beyond words. What a beautiful world this would be if everyone could watch this episode because you can't help but be changed by Patrick Henry Hughes, a true angel on earth.

[Laurie]

Does anyone know what Patrick Henry sang during the last five minutes of the show? It was such a beautiful song, made even more beautiful because such a beautiful person sang it.

[lisa in dallas]

This was the most touching of any of the shows. Patrick Henry was fabulous. The last song was "I Believe" by Brooks and Dunn. I wish they had not voiced over his singing. I also agree, the clip at the very end of him at the piano was great!!!! makes my life seem pretty simple.

[Key,NY]

This was really touching for me.I have two eyes,and can't get my act together to play a piano. Only GOD knows what he does in a person's life.I would like Patrick to know my Jesus in a personal way.

[Key,NY]

This was really touching for me.I have two eyes,and can't get my act together to play a piano. Only GOD knows what he does in a person's life.I would like Patrick to know my Jesus in a personal way.

[Anne]

Er, it's actually the University of Louisville, not Louisiana. Other than that little nitpick, I agree 100% with Dave's review. It was cool to see my hometown featured on TV in way that showed off its best assets: people like Patrick Henry.

[David D. Campbell]

Dang it! Thanks Anne, I will change that.

[Ryan]

Hi all, well I must admit to being a softy as well but this episode was down right inspiring. I really hope that Patrick does something with his music what a talent I know that I would buy his music or inspirational talks :) Way to go ABC and team this was a great show keep up the great work and thanks David for posting!

[TAMMY SATERIALE]

THIS SHOW DOES GREAT THINGS FOR PEOPLE! I KNOW, BECAUSE,I HELPED W/THE HOUSE IN REDONDO BEACH.IT'S SOMETHING I'LL NEVER FORGET! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS!!!!
BEST ALWAYS,
TAMMY

[Traci Cooper]

I loved this show and cryed through most of it. My brother had Muscular Dystrophy and past away at 23 in 1999. Patrick reminded me so much of him and his parent are just like mine. I will always remember this show and if anyone can tell me how to get one of his CD's you would make my day.

[Alecs]

I watched that episode too and it was absolutely awesome.

Like someone else had already said: the song Patrick Henry performed in the end was "I Believe" by Brooks & Dunn. Personally though, having heard both versions, I like Patrick Henry's better. He has such a great, soulful voice. It's incredible

[Jeff and Dorene Guida Sr.]

God has bless US with a miracle from heaven, Patrick Henry

[peyton johnson]

i loved that. it is amazing what he can do. his positve attitude is great!

[Schatzie]

Can anyone tell me who the gentleman was that made the quilt? I know his first name is Jessie. I would love to buy one of his quilts.
Thank you Hughes family for sharing your lives with us.

[Brent Wambold]

Can anybody tell me whether the song that Patrick Henry played at the very end of the show was his own compostition or something we can get the music and lyrics for. I would love to use it at church.

[Lauren]

I had the honor of seeing Patrick perform at my church May 18th of this year and then again tonight on extreme makeover. This man makes you look at life in a hole new light. You can only wish you raise your sons as well as his parents have raised him. Into a incredible young man with so much to offer the world. The Hughs family is awsome. I feel very priveliged being able to have seen this man in person. I cried as much tonight as I did that day. Thank you Patrick! Keep blessing us with your voice!!!!!