Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

The LUTZ Family - EAST SETAUKET, NY

"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" MENDS THE HOME OF KATHLEEN AND JOHN LUTZ WHO STEPPED UP TO CARE FOR THEIR SIX ADULT DOWN SYNDROME SIBLINGS AFTER THEIR PARENTS PASSED AWAY.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" continues its mission to honor special everyday heroes and heads to East Setauket, NY to tell the Lutz family that their crumbling home where they are caring for their six siblings with Down Syndrome, will be rebuilt in seven days. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airs SUNDAY, MAY 10 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Unable to have children of their own, John and Grace Lutz gave their hearts to 18 adopted kids in all, including 7 with Down Syndrome. After John and Grace passed away, their daughter Kathleen gave up her career and gladly came home to take care of her six Down siblings, something she always knew was in the cards for her. Everyone agreed that putting the kids in a group home or institution was not an option. It was a good plan, until Kathleen suddenly and unexpectedly had a grand mal seizure, and was diagnosed with an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor. John Jr. was next at bat, sacrificing his successful career as a gymnastics coach to move home and care for Kathleen and his siblings. She is now stabilized, and both Kathleen and John care for their family as a team. Nothing can dampen the spirits of this cheerful group. They love to sing and dance, cook and play games together. But the crumbling condition of their 40-year-old home has become a concern. The electrical is unsafe, water leaks everywhere, ther is mold and rotting wood. Everybody in town loves this charming and unusual family, they are local celebrities, and the community rallies to help them in every way. But, the home is at a point where band-aids are not enough. The Down siblings will not grow up and move away, they will not marry or drive cars - they need this to be a safe permanent home, with everything to accomodate their special needs.

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