An Extreme Schedule Has Begun! Family Identified!

Day 1: Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 —Ty Pennington knocks on the door (well, yells in a megaphone) and informs the family that they have been selected to get a miracle of a gift from their community.

The Grys' journey began over a year ago when the family started a petition to get their son Jake help.  The petition appeal read:

Jacob Grys is a miracle! He was not expected to live after birth. But live he did. He is a tiny child that is full of life. Jake was born with dwarfism caused by osteogenesis imperfecta.

Yes, he has brittle bones. Yes, he breaks his bones every month. But his difficulties are mainly caused by his dwarfism. He depends upon his family for everything. Though he has above average intelligence and bursting personality, he can not get a drink, go to the bathroom, shower, turn on a light, and worst of all, he can not open a door so if the house would catch on fire he can not escape. His family (adoptive parents and 6 siblings) have always thought they would just care for him forever, but...When the therapist at Easter Seals came to their house to nominate them for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, she showed them that he could be independent with the correct changes and additions to their home.

So they have discovered it is a disservice to Jake to make him depend on them. He needs to be able to care for himself. His family is now consumed with finding a way to make him INDEPENDENT!! You can help.

Jake Grys was adopted by the Grys family after they had spent 25 years as foster parents and had fostered over 250 children. The family has 7 children and Jake is the youngest. He has so many challenges, the most extreme being his tiny size. Jake is 8 years old and the size of an 18 month old.

Jake has dwarfism caused by brittle bones. He needs Extreme Makeover Home Edition to customize his home so he can do simple tasks such as turn on lights, go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, and escape a fire. Other challenges are getting in and out of bed, showering, combing his hair, reaching toys and clothes. Basically everything we take for granted, Jake can not do without help.

Jake needs your help to declare his independence!!!!  Please find it in your heart to help him!

Grys family, we could not have said it better!  You can see all of their YouTube videos here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vHTFsplKcA

You can also see some videos on Jake and the family here:

http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php?/multimedia/soundslide/brittle_but_not_broken

http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php?/multimedia/video/meet_jake_grys/

http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=36377

Now, on with the build!

Comments

[Michelle Hoppes]

There could not be a more deserving family. I know each of them personally. They are all such givers. It will hard for them to accept such a huge blessing... Congrats to them

[sue kemper]

This family goes to the same church i do.Jake always has a smile on his face..This family deserves this

[Jacquelin Van Brunt]

I know Jacob and have met him many times. We often run into him and one of his parents before and after therapy at Easter Seals as both my children have therapy there as well. I can't begin to tell you how much him and his family deserve this. With as many difficulties as Jacob faces he still manages to wear a smile on his face and greet you with the sweetest greeting ever! He works so hard in therapy and has the same therapist as my son. Thanks to all who have, are, and will help him and his family! You all are angels sent by God to help another in need!