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.
What a wonderful thing you are doing for this family. Give, and it shall be returned 10 fold. Your act of kindness is a breath of fresh air in this world today. Thank you for doing this.
I am ecstatic for this family and feel blessed to be able to volunteer with my sister on the project. I watch the show every Sunday and am now going to be part of it!
Dawn is a saint! What an awesome family and the most deserving. Am so happy for them and thank you Extreme Homemakeover!
I have know Dawn and Emmanuel all my life! You are so deserving of this! Oh and those of us who know you, know this is not a hand out!
Whoever Zinc and City are, I’m sorry you have such a sad life that you can’t be happy for others! Maybe if you had some good thoughts for a change, you may be happier people! What am I saying! I am totally wasting by breathe with you two! Dawn and Emmanuel you guys are awesome and I am sooo happy for you all! I will be there helping and can’t wait to you all come home!
Love all 5 of you,
Donalyn
I have one word for “CITY” JEALOUS!!!!!! If it were you getting the house you wouldn’t be saying anything negative.
Congratulations to the Martirez family! They really deserve this. Taking care of a child with a disability is a 24/7 job, and I hope this makes life easier for them!
As far as publicity, there are plenty of businesses and people that are donating to the cause that are not receiving any “advertising.” Many of the building supplies are being donated by area companies that are not receiving any publicity.
People such as “city” and “zink” try to get a rise out of others, but I have a hard time believing that they are THAT ignorant. They want the blogs to be about them instead of the family.
Sounds like a wonderful choice! Blessings to this family!
I don’t know the family and don’t live in St. Louis but I absolutely love what the show does for families and I agree with everyone (except Zinc and City)! I am so happy for this family! I have 2 friends who each have children with disabilities. It’s hard to watch what they go thru on a daily basis just to get thru the day! I am so happy that my kids were born healthy! I’m a single mom and we have rough days, financially and otherwise! But nothing compared to what the family is going thru! Are there other families who deserve this! Absolutely! Moreso than this family? Some maybe. But anyone can apply! Sure they still have to make a decision on who they are going to help, but like someone else said, they can’t do it for everybody. I think it’s great that they get a much needed vacation; I’m sure “winning” the vacation is the last thing on their mind! It’s also nice that Sears, the contractors, and volunteers, etc. are all able to help out with the donations and time! Even if their name is out there for the publicity! They advertise thru commercials for the same purpose! There aren’t many shows on anymore that are worth watching! But I make sure I watch this one every week! If I’m not home, you can bet it gets recorded! Thanks Extreme Makeover for all that you do and showing your compassion for those in need! Ty, you are a great person and your “yelling” is even inspiring to “get the job done” and have fun doing it! Keep up the great work!! We love your show!!