Meet the St. Louis ‘Extreme Makeover Home Edition’ family
The St. Louisans chosen for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” are Dawn and Emmanuel Martirez of Shrewsbury. (Pictured: the scene this morning on the Martirez’ street, as photographed by a neighbor.)
Dawn is a pediatric cancer nurse. They have a daughter, Elle, and twin boys, Evan and Alec. According to the information released this morning:
“Evan has an extremely rare genetic condition called 9P minus, and Alec has another uncommon genetic disorder known as Crouzon Syndrome…. Both twins suffer from skeletal abnormalities that require extensive corrective facial and cranial surgeries, with Evan having physical handicaps and mental retardation and Alec being profoundly hearing impaired.”
Dawn Martirez had to give up her job to take care of the twins full time.
“As the boys get older, the home’s cramped narrow hallways, steep stairs, crumbling driveway and single, handicapped inaccessible bathroom are posing great problems for them and slowing their development. Now it is up to Ty (Pennington) and his designers to equip the Martirez’s home to accommodate the twins’ special needs.”
The “EMHE” team (including designers Paige Hemmis, Ed Sanders, Eduardo Xol and John Littlefield) will work with local builders Callier Thompson Shea Construction & Design LLC and Consolidated Construction Group Inc., plus hundreds of volunteers and workers. During the process, the Martirez family will go on vacation to Disney World.
Guys, don’t make this a debate on abortion. That is off topic, and I’d have to start deleting comments.
It’s ashame that there is such jealousy and negativeness in the world. I think EM:HE made a GREAT choice…am I biased? Yes, probably. Would other families deserve this too? Of course. But unfornuately they can’t pick everyone.
Dawne, Emman & kiddos…ENJOY DISNEY WORLD! YOU GUYS TOTALLY DESERVE IT!
I agree that this is a good deed. We all know that the show is all about ratings. That’s what keeps them thriving. I feel it is a good deed for a deserving family. The only downside to the show is that often times they provide too much home for the family’s income. I just hope that they build them a more accessible home and that its within their means.
I’m all for the martirez family getting a brand new home, i live down the street from them, only complaint is that now traffic will be horrible. i cant even get to my house with out being stopped by like 10 cops. lol my favorite so far are the ones on golf carts who didnt belive me when i said i lived on the street….gah i wish they would have planned better, plus there are going to be hecka people and media all over now gr.
Can anyone please provide the Martirez home address so I may attend and volunteer. Quick reply needed…thank you!
I am friends with this wonderful couple’s sister-in-law and was pregnant at the same time as Dawn was with the twins. Andrea brought us news of the twins struggles and surgeries and I am THRILLED that they are getting such a wonderful gift! Congratulations Dawn and Emmanuel!!!
The Martirez family thanks everyone for their warm wishes, prayers and all around good vibes. We’ve been holding our collective breath for months, waiting to hear Ty coming running up my brother’s walkway this morning! My mother, sister and I are volunteering this week and look forward to seeing you all on Brunswick Avenue in Shrewsbury. Tina from down the street, hang in there.. it’ll be all over with this time next week!
God bless Christine(city) Jimbo and Zinc, there’s plenty of room for you guys to volunteer! Let’s show the country how St. Louis takes care of its people!
You can go to http://www.extremehomemakeoverstlouis.com and get all the information you need about volunteering.
Not to take away from the Martirez’s but The Extreme Make Over Team has another project in St. Louis, due to the fact they couldn’t decide between the two, and so far I haven’t seen anything about that project. Maybe someone needs to do some investigating so that the other winner gets some exposure.
Could they not give that house to another family in need and build an new home for this family on a vacanct lot ? It seems a shame to waste a decent home just for the wow factor.