Michael and Cindy Sharrock with son, Patrick
A Rossville family with a son with brittle bone disease has been chosen for an Extreme Home Makeover.
The Michael and Cindy Sharrock family will take a vacation to Walt Disney World, while over 3,000 volunteers from the Chattanooga area build the family a new home.
Design team leader Ty Pennington and designers Ed Sanders, Leigh Anne Tuohy, Eduardo Xol and Xzibit, local builder Vision Homes will be in charge of the project.
Officials said, "At just nine years old, Patrick Sharrock from Rossville is a child who manages to inspire and uplift everyone he’s around. His positive attitude is even more remarkable because he has a rare genetic condition, commonly known as brittle bone disease, where even the slightest bump could cause his bones to snap.
"In his short life, Patrick has already had 59 broken bones. The family’s 50-year-old crumbling house is a major landmine for him. A severely sloping floor is just one of the challenges in the home that makes it unsafe for Patrick."
On Sunday morning, the design team from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” told the Sharrock family "that Patrick will have a safe environment to call home for the rest of his life.
"Despite the challenges, Patrick faces life with joy and humor. He tells jokes and keeps everyone around him laughing. Another of this energetic and lively youngster’s pastimes, ironically, is that he loves to break dance.
"Patrick’s parents, Michael and Cindy, share his can-do attitude and unbreakable spirit. Everything in their lives is geared to protect their son as best they can, including home-schooling to avoid playground injuries. They adjust their work schedules so one of them is always home with Patrick. But even that is filled with potential problems since Cindy is partially deaf and may not be able to hear Patrick if he should fall or hurt himself.
"The Sharrocks have become an inspiration to other families with kids facing challenges. Patrick is a poster child for the local Shriners Hospitals for Children and speaks there often. He visits other kids battling illness and cheers them up with his jokes because he believes, 'A hospital wouldn't be a happy place without laughter.' He also speaks for an annual event at the Chattanooga Discovery Museum which
teams “typical” kids with special needs kids to foster better understanding. Patrick and Cindy participate in storytime at their local library and the Sharrocks also take part each year in the Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk."
Local builder Vision Homes will lead the build, with the support of the host of skilled and community volunteers at 179 Monanaw Ave., Rossville.
Equipment rental company United Rentals officials said they are working around the clock in Catoosa County this week. Employees are providing construction equipment and services for the project.
The build is part of United Rentals' fourth year of partnership with the award-winning television show, which has relied on the industry leader for equipment and volunteers on more than 75 new home constructions.
The United Rentals branch in nearby Ringgold is organizing the delivery of more than 70 pieces of equipment to the site, said Jim Oddo, branch manager.
"The Sharrocks are confronted by constant challenges, and have found ways to overcome them as a family," said Mr. Oddo. "Their care for Patrick is an inspiration to the community. My United Rentals team is proud to supply the construction equipment, supplies and volunteers to help build this family a special home."
Officials said the family's house, with plumbing and electrical problems and severely slanting floors, makes it difficult to do even simple tasks.
The episode featuring the Sharrock family will air on ABC on a date to be announced.