John Littlefield, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: The Kadzis Family
Hello gang, Johnny here from the "Extreme Team," and this week I have the pleasure and privilege of talking about our incredible build week in Leon County, Florida, just outside of Tallahassee.
Now to begin with, I have to tell you a story. Back in my Catholic high school days, I had a Jesuit priest as a philosophy teacher, and when it came to the great Socrates proclaiming that he was "not an Athenian nor a Greek but a citizen of the world," I remember thinking, "What the heck is this cat talking about!?" Little did I know that a few years later that statement would make all the difference — and in a greatly profound way — in the city of Tallahassee.
George and Barbara Kadzis have used music and advocacy to change the lives of children from China since 2001. They adopted six children from China, 5, with special needs. They took China's unwanted and not only made them wanted, but loved! Now I happen to think the greatest gift in life is to love and be loved!
Raising children with special needs is a daunting task, but raising these special-needs kids with a language barrier as well is next to impossible. George and Barbara, with son Chris, their only biological child, have done this with the patience of saints and strength of armies! They bridged this communication gap with the universal language of music. Music became an instrument to heal, communicate and transform their children's lives. In addition to their accomplishments within their home, George and Barbara became a strong voice in the needs of children internationally. Advocates and mentors for the Children's Home Society in Tallahassee, Florida. They are huge supporters and educators for other parents of disabled, and orphaned children across the globe.
In October of 2005, George was diagnosed with metastasis melanoma but through surgery the tumors were successfully excised. Just recently the threat of brain cancer has returned. His diagnosis has once again taken time and energy away from his desire to modify his family's home, to better accommodate their special needs. The Kadzis family home is cramped, closed off and difficult for their blind daughter to navigate, not to mention the home itself has been a constant victim of Florida's famous hurricanes. George's condition is terminal and his only wish is for his family to have a safe and secure home in which to grow and prosper.
This week would not have been possible without the aide from our incredible crew, our builders, John and Jake from MyddeltonParker Builders, and all their subs; the great Stevie Wonder, whose presence was beyond sympathy, but understanding; CVS Pharmacy, whose continual generosity has never ceased to amaze me; Ty and the gang for their continual laughter and courage' and of course George and Barbara, who helped me realize what Socrates was saying. Strength in communities does not stop at city, county, state nor country lines. It goes beyond borders, beyond lines on a map and makes us all "Citizens of the World"!
