The Thomas Family
Raleigh, NC. The Riggins family are given an extreme makeover. Linda Riggins grew up poor and in the projects, where she was told she would never make anything of herself. She didn't let this get her down, though, and graduated college with honors and degrees in Childhood Education, Social Work and Women's Studies. She, along with her visually impaired husband, William, have dedicated over fifteen years of service to Building Together Ministries, a non-profit center designed to help disadvantaged parents and children. But recently the Riggins themselves have fallen on tough times: Linda has had several surgeries, their medical bills have become overwhelming and now their house is in bad need of repair. Despite all this, Linda and William greet every day with a smile and focus all of their energies on their young and enthusiastic children and on their community. While Ty and the designers, builder Homelife Communities and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding their home, the Riggins family will go on vacation to Walt Disney World
More from Season 4
Episode 1
The Llanes Family
No overview available.
Episode 2
The Rogers Family
The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition design team travels to Bergenfield, New Jersey to build a brand new renovated home in seven days for a deserving family of six who have overcome some difficult disabilities. In order to better meet the Llanes family's unique needs, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin will serve as Team Leader.
Episode 3
The Gilliam Family
The large Rogers family are well-known in their community for their selfless attitudes and strong morals. All the children excel in everything they do, whether it's sports or academics. Betsy was raised in a bi-racial family, and later married into a bi-racial marriage; as a result, she strives to teach her family and community about diversity and respect for others. A well known and much respected figure throughout the community, Betsy is a team mother for both the football and wrestling teams and a second mom to most of the kids in the area. She has passed her selfless values on to her children; her two eldest sons, Christopher and Jonathan, went on a two-week mission trip in Honduras to help build homes for those who live in worse conditions than even they could imagine.
Episode 4
The Hawkins Family
David Gilliam simultaneously worked several jobs to support his family in order to fulfill his dream of becoming a firefighter and EMT. He was one state test away from getting his instructor coordinator license when he suddenly died. As a result of her husband’s autopsy, Maryann learned that the basement of her family’s home was contaminated with dangerous levels of toxic spores. Her doctor advised the mother and her six children to vacate the house for health reasons. The community has rallied around the Gilliams; since David’s death, the family have lived with several family members, neighbors and friends. Currently they are living with Maryann’s sister.
Episode 5
The Bliven Family
In early April 2006, a massive F-3 tornado tore through firefighter Jerrod Hawkins' hometown of Henderson, TN. While Jerrod was on duty and could only watch the storm from his fire station, the tornado hit his home directly, ripping the house from its foundation. Amy heroically saved her sons, Jair and Cole, by lying on top of them in the basement. But unfortunately the bricks, debris and concrete that hit Amy caused permanent injuries -- her vertebrae and ribs were crushed, her lungs were punctured, and she sustained serious head trauma. After the tornado subsided, Amy and the boys were found under a pile of rubble by neighbors who called the fire station, where Jerrod had to instruct his neighbors how to give his own wife CPR.
Episode 6
The Kibe Family
The Bliven family of Minot, North Dakota were told "Life's not fair" by their doctor upon learning their second child, Aaron, had cerebral palsy. The Blivens, who also have another son and daughter, treat Aaron like a "normal" kid. Aaron and his younger brother even played on the same Little League team. That is, until the recreation league decided Aaron's health was too much of a risk for the great American pastime. But instead of benching her young son, Michelle started a league of their own. "Dream Catchers" is a Little League team made up entirely of children with special needs. Michelle received the "Hometown Hero" Award for her tireless efforts in creating an environment in which EVERY child is special
