Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Extreme Makeover: Gil Family
Two years ago 22-year old Robert Gil was involved in a car crash on the freeway. Pronounced dead at the scene it's remarkable he pulled through, but his injuries were so severe he was paralysed from the waist down.
Confined to life in a wheelchair, he's an obvious target for the sympathy vote, but Robert is refreshingly frank about his situation. But he admits that life on the ground floor of the three-storey home is restrictive, and he finds it inconvenient that he can't open the fridge or eat at the family dining table.
Wiping the trademark tear from his eye, Paul (carpenter/builder) announces that the only way forward is to install an elevator. But there's a problem, the cost will max out the budget. Needing to raise funds sharpish, Paul organises an auction and before you can say 'going once' he's auctioning off the team's tools and, much to the delight of the neighbourhood mums, Ty's boxers.
Work gets underway pouring the elevator foundations and digging through three storeys to build the shaft. Tough work. Meanwhile Constance (who possibly needs to get out a little more?) has made an exact one inch scale model of the Zitek home to ensure Robert's wheelchair will have the necessary 5ft clearance for turning.
Outside, steps are removed and a ramp system introduced. Landscaper Dawson gets completely carried away with his new giant sequoia and rather nauseatingly christens it his 'forever tree'. The new all-weather therapeutic spa installed in the back garden is an inspired idea and will provide ideal exercise for Robert.
Michael (briefed with Interiors and Glamour) sets about designing Robert's ground-floor 'loft-style' apartment. Adamant that it shouldn't feel remotely institutionalised, he installs state-of-the-art everything, from the vast music suite to the voice-activated controls for lights, doors and TV. He sums it up best when he says 'I'm trying to give this guy the world'.
The family return from their Disneyland cruise and survey their remodelled home. They're clearly overwhelmed by the elevator which allows Robert to access the upper storeys of the house for the first time since his accident, and more importantly, gives him back his freedom.
Read Extreme Makeover: Home Edition an Introduction for more details on the ultimate home makeover show. And find out about our two favourite designers in Meet Ty Pennington and Meet Michael Moloney.
Wiping the trademark tear from his eye, Paul (carpenter/builder) announces that the only way forward is to install an elevator. But there's a problem, the cost will max out the budget. Needing to raise funds sharpish, Paul organises an auction and before you can say 'going once' he's auctioning off the team's tools and, much to the delight of the neighbourhood mums, Ty's boxers.
Work gets underway pouring the elevator foundations and digging through three storeys to build the shaft. Tough work. Meanwhile Constance (who possibly needs to get out a little more?) has made an exact one inch scale model of the Zitek home to ensure Robert's wheelchair will have the necessary 5ft clearance for turning.
Outside, steps are removed and a ramp system introduced. Landscaper Dawson gets completely carried away with his new giant sequoia and rather nauseatingly christens it his 'forever tree'. The new all-weather therapeutic spa installed in the back garden is an inspired idea and will provide ideal exercise for Robert.
Michael (briefed with Interiors and Glamour) sets about designing Robert's ground-floor 'loft-style' apartment. Adamant that it shouldn't feel remotely institutionalised, he installs state-of-the-art everything, from the vast music suite to the voice-activated controls for lights, doors and TV. He sums it up best when he says 'I'm trying to give this guy the world'.
The family return from their Disneyland cruise and survey their remodelled home. They're clearly overwhelmed by the elevator which allows Robert to access the upper storeys of the house for the first time since his accident, and more importantly, gives him back his freedom.
Read Extreme Makeover: Home Edition an Introduction for more details on the ultimate home makeover show. And find out about our two favourite designers in Meet Ty Pennington and Meet Michael Moloney.
When is it on?
- Extreme Makeover is next on at 8.00am on Friday 25th July on UKTV Style
