Extreme Makeover: Home Edition > The Family
 Meet the Vitale Family…
On September 5, the Vitale family of Athens, VT received the good news that Ty and the gang of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will be transforming their current home into a safe and handicap accessible house in just seven days.
Sarah and Lou have two loving and bright sons, Kane (3 1/2), and Louie Angelo Jr. (2 yrs old this month). Sarah is a photographer/artist studying to get a degree in psychology. Lou is a store manger, musician and describes himself as a Star Wars Geek. Louie Angelo Jr. was diagnosed with multiple birth defects, including Arthogryposis, club feet, and skeletal displasia. Although he can’t move very well, he loves to paint. With this in mind, Sarah started Angel Boy Art in honor of her son. This organization allows children to paint and auction off their work to raise money and awareness to their particular disease.
Both Sarah and Lou are creative and supportive parents but have limited resources and a home which is not at all adapted to Louis Jr.’s needs. They have tried making ramps and done their best to revamp their home, but it’s not enough. The house was built on a weak foundation that consists of tree trunks, bare earth and shifting blocks, so the house has very little support. Engineers said that one day without warning, it will collapse which would endanger everyone inside. The house leaks, and on rainy days, water pours in through the hallways., When EMTs respond to emergency calls, they are unable to maneuver through the house, and this could be life threatening for Louie.
It is now up to the design team to get this family out of the crumbling foundation and into a strong and handicap accessible house. While Ty, the Extreme Makeover designers, local design/builder The McKernon Group, Inc. and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding their home, the Vitale family will be volunteering at "David's House" in New Hampshire, a place for families with children who are being treated at the nearby medical center. This was their "home away from home" when when Louie was hospitalized.
The episode "Vitale Family" will air during the 2007-2008 season.
The location address is: The Vitale Family, 95 Valley Cemetery Road, Athens, VT 05143.
Visit Louis Jr.'s webpage
Visit Angel Boy Art
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