Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

[Galadriel]

Does anyone know that show? Extreme Makeover Home Edition It's from the television company ABC and it's about families that are in money trouble, have a mentally or phisically disabled child and live in poor conditions.

Yesterday I was watching a show where two parents of 32 years old, full time job, with three kids, had to pay a medical bill of $530.000 for their oldest child. The girl who is born with a hole in her heart. She has been through 4 heart surgeries in her life so far, she's 12 and just healed from her last one. That last operation nearly cost her life. She has now troubles with her breathing.

Because of the heavy bills, the parents didn't have anymore money to spend to make their house better, and the girl needs a perfect clean dustfree house, if not it happens that she stops breathing in her sleep.

The team of EMHE send the family away for a week to the Big Apple and completey torn down the house to rebuild it. They installed an air purefier that gives clean air around the whole house. Every room is made according to the person that has to live in it.
Its an amazing show, everyone in the neighbourhood comes out to watch when the family comes back home. There was even a little boy that gave the money from his own piggy bank to the family.
That was soo touching that I cried my eyes out.

I think it's worth to watch it sometimes. To see how families in need are being helped with a gorgious new house.
This show leaves you with a good feeling.

[Alrik]

I haven't heard if this yet, but I know a ... well, it's not a show, rather a kind of report wherein someone knowing how to deal with money very well (a true professional) helps families with big financial troubles.

[ss]

It is a weekly program on ABC here in the States.. They actually gave one lady in Blacksburg Va a new home when I was living in Roanoke (30 miles away).. built it in the winter in about 3 weeks. They did not carry it on TV until about 6 months later, but it is for real...they really do help needy families...some of which you cannot conceive the desperation of their status...your right Gal, makes you weep for joy...

[Elliot Kane]

That's a really cool idea More power to them, I say!

[peterh]

Yeah I know it as well.

It's a feel good program that does take a lot of heat over here. People say it manipulates emotion, which can be argued. At the same time those large companies that donates money, time and items get's a lot of publicity and goodwill so I've heard it classified as nothing but a publicity stunt.

This is, imo, missing the point. I couldn't care less if it does manipulate emotion - though there has been a few times where it's been too obvious for my tastes - nor that it gives large coorporations a lot of publicity. The bottom line is that this program helps people in need and for that it's alright in my book.

And I do like watching it and can get a lump in my throat at times ;D

[killerzzz]

peterh said:

Yeah I know it as well.

It's a feel good program that does take a lot of heat over here. People say it manipulates emotion, which can be argued. At the same time those large companies that donates money, time and items get's a lot of publicity and goodwill so I've heard it classified as nothing but a publicity stunt.

This is, imo, missing the point. I couldn't care less if it does manipulate emotion - though there has been a few times where it's been too obvious for my tastes - nor that it gives large coorporations a lot of publicity. The bottom line is that this program helps people in need and for that it's alright in my book.

And I do like watching it and can get a lump in my throat at times ;D

I agree. Who cares if deep down its really a heartless money making scheme. Its a heartless money making scheme thats making use of itself!

Killerzzz

[LaFille]

It is a nice concept and great that it makes people's life better; especially when the people have to deal with medical conditions. I liked watching it from time to times when it started, and at times what they do with kids rooms is awesome.

I have a hard time with the emotion manipulation and sensationalism too though, and on the drawbacks side there's also to think about how the heck will the families do to pay the taxes on all this huge shiny new stock once that the first year or two under ABC's wing will be over, when they barely earn enough money to eat properly...
But that program is a long way better than most other reality shows, and better be the investments there than in other of those.