February 17, 2011

The "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" build in Wichita will start on a baseball field.

Volunteers wearing shirts from the popular show gathered at Wichita State's Eck Stadium early this afternoon. Wichita State sent a note to students today saying "there is a surprise announcement taking place at Eck Stadium, and we need as many people there as possbile."

The crowd learned the house will be built for former Shocker baseball player Carl Hall, who was left paralyzed after an automobile accident.

Hall had been invited to speak to the Shocker baseball team this afternoon. Hall and his family were surprised when Ty Pennington and the other "Extreme Makeover" designers showed up.

Hall and his family will be flown to Orlando, Florida for a vacation. Six employees from Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver, where Hall underwent treatment, will accompany the family on the trip.

The home will be built near Maize Road and Pawnee.

Release from ABC Entertainment;

The “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” team descends on Wichita, Kan., to deliver a new home to the Hall family. The family of six was hit hard by tragedy on June 26, 2010, when
a car accident left dad, Carl, paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Unfortunately, Carl’s condition made it impossible for him to continue on in their bi-level home, which contained door frames
that were not wheelchair-accessible and dangerous stairs that made it impossible to move in and around the house. As a result, the family was forced to leave their home and move to a
rented condo. This week the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” designers will give Carl back some independence and a new home to rehab in so that his family can move past this tragedy,
onto a brighter, healthier future.

The Hall family represents a slice of Americana. Carl married his high school sweetheart, Stacey, and together they created the ultimate team. Megan (16), Maddie (14), Logan (11) and McLaine (9) all followed in dad’s footsteps by participating in team sports and
enjoying mom’s perfect cheer from the sidelines.

Despite the recent car accident, Carl has
not lost his fighting spirit. Instead of asking, “Why me?” he meets each challenge head on, and asks, “What’s next?” The community has embraced the Halls with numerous fundraisers; however, Carl’s condition is costly and continues to put unimaginable financial pressure on the family. As Carl faces the toughest challenge of his life, through sheer force of will and determination, we can build his family a new home. “Extreme Makeover” can give this All-
American athlete, who embodies the rarest kind of inspiration and gratitude, the best playing field possible for his greatest performance yet.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is on deck and ready to hit this one out of the park for the Hall family’s “It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over” episode. Along with community volunteers and Bob Cook Homes, team leader Ty Pennington, designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis and Jillian Harris will rebuild their home so that this team can get back on track and focus on the road to recovery.

The location address is: 11026 West Hollywood Court, Wichita, Kan.

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