The Hughes Family
This week we're in Louisville, KY to meet the Hughes family. Patricia and Patrick John Hughes's eldest son, Patrick Henry, was born blind and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, leaving him unable to walk. Despite circumstances that seem overwhelming, Patrick Henry has exhibited extreme strength and a positive attitude in order to achieve his goals. Not only is Patrick Henry an amazing pianist, having played since he was 9 months old, but he also excels at the trumpet and singing. He's even Part of the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Band
To me this week is about the glass being half full. I think it's how you look at things. The cards are dealt, but it's how you look at them. Patrick Henry has never seen his disabilities, matter of fact, he thinks that you and I are the ones with the disability. Because we judge people. We see people for their color or their race or what have you. He doesn't. He judges people from what's in here.
The Hughes family have done everything they can for Patrick Henry and them house just didn't work for them. The doorways were too small and the floors are on several different levels and he actually had to shimmy up on the floor to get from one place to another. And we're gonna change that. It was amazing... They knew that when we knocked on the door that all of that was gonna come to an end.
We decided to build a separate apartment for Patrick Henry to give his independence. He's 19 years old and he can finally have his own space, and do his own thing. But still know that the rest of his family is right next door.
Joe and Rocky from Elite Homes were our wonderful builders this week. They're just awesome guys and they're here for all the right reasons. Joe and Rocky actually agreed to do the build hands down without knowing who the family was, and they couldn't wait. But when they found out that it was the Hughes family, who are local celebrities, they were that much more excited. We definitely got the right builder.
My project was the master bedroom this week and my goal was to give the Hughes' just a retreat. They work so hard taking care of their family that they just need a place that's comfortable. Their old bedroom was actually their living room in the old house and they turned it into a bedroom. I just wanna give them a beautiful suite with their own bathroom. This family's been sharing a bathroom for 19 years.
I'm so proud to be part of helping Patrick Henry and the Hughes Family. It's just so amazing because they were doing ok in that old house and they were working out just fine, but now with this new house and the ease and the - the freedom that we've created, they can concentrate on what's really important, and that's making sure Patrick Henry's ok, just being a family and being together. That's what it's all about.
ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
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