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Family Served by The Arc of Jackson County Gets Extreme Home Makeover

The McPhail family from Medford in southern Oregon, are set to receive an Extreme Home Makeover from the popular ABC show of the same name to help their sons, Sawyer and Thatcher, who have autism. A third son, Crew, does not have autism. The family is served by the Families for Community program, a parent-driven group advocating for the full inclusion of all children, which is part of The Arc of Jackson County. The episode is currently scheduled to air Friday, October 28 (please check local listings).

Parents C.J. and Lindsay McPhail were interviewed on the building site by The Dove, a local Christian broadcaster, and thanked Emilie Sampson, the program director for Families for Community, along with her husband Matt, for nominating them for the show. Watch the full interview here.

Although they couldn’t reveal details of the special features built into the home until the program airs, Lindsey McPhail would say that “It’s set up to make our life easier in even the tiniest aspects. It’s going to make me a better mom.” In addition to the challenges of three growing boys, two with special needs, the McPhails contended with mold and asbestos problems along with old wiring and a lack of heat in part of their former home.

Of the new house, C.J. McPhail said “this home is a hug. It’s a home that when you walk into it just gives you a hug with all of the love that went into it.”

Along with praising all of the community volunteers and various nonprofit groups the family is involved in, the McPhails had high praise for the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team. “They care about the cause and spreading awareness of autism. They’re truly amazing people, it’s not an act,” said C.J.

Once the episode airs and the family is authorized to share details about the house with the community, they plan on letting people tour their new home as a fundraising and awareness raising activity for the local nonprofits such as The Arc who they are associated with.