Loving father and husband George Kadzis, from Tallahassee, Florida, had been battling brain cancer. His one dying wish was to provide his wife and children with a safe home. In keeping with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's" call to honor everyday heroes across America, the show informed the Kadzis family that their hurricane-damaged home would be rebuilt and modified in seven days to meet their special needs. Sadly, three days after the family received their new home, George succumbed to his cancer. The emotional two-hour episode airs SUNDAY, APRIL 12 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.
Extraordinary compassion led George Kadzis, a prison dentist, and his wife, Barbara, a lifelong teacher who herself was adopted, to open their hearts and home to special-needs children adopted from orphanages in China. The family faced major challenges in their cramped, hurricane-damaged home, which was especially difficult for daughter Melody to navigate, as she is blind. The other adopted brothers and sisters also face significant physical challenges: Julia is deaf, Martin's right arm and hand are deformed, and Phoenix and Celeste are now having their cleft palates repaired. Aileen lost her birth father to cancer, and her birth mother fled after his death. Because Barbara and George Kadzis weren't fluent in Chinese, and several of their adopted children could barely communicate in any fashion, the family turned to the universal language of music as an instrument to heal, communicate and transform. Chris, Barbara and George's biological son, Martin, play the guitar and piano, Aileen plays the flute and Melody plays the zither, while sister Julia dances like she's listening to every note -- except that she can't hear.
Now Ty and the designers, local builder Myddelton Parker Builders, LLC and hundreds of volunteers and workers, will step in and rebuild the Kadzis home. In addition, legendary singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder stops by on reveal day and performs a private concert for the family.
- http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/
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