Anyone watch Extreme Makover-Freedom Hills Riding Center?

Keith · Postby **Keith** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:06 pm

Anyone watch Extreme Makover tonight and to see the race horse trainer who had brain damage and is able to ride horses again? It is one of the better Extreme Makover shows that they have had in a while.

Keith

Jenny · Postby **Jenny** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:13 pm

No! I missed it. Sometimes I think I have brain damage for riding racehorses!!!

vineyridge · Postby **vineyridge** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:22 pm

I think it's about Mike Rea, who was at Fair Hill and got beaned really badly.

It's been over a year since since his accident.

robbinsapple · Postby **robbinsapple** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:38 am

I watched it,pretty good! That made me cry when he was telling his story.
That's one heck of a barn and house they got though! :lol:

surprisewind · Postby **surprisewind** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:23 pm

he said it had been a year and a half since his injury. Since that was at the time of filming, I'd guess... maybe two years?

He said getting back on the horse was like "going home." I got more than a little weepy....

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:01 pm

18 foot high ceilings in that house? how they goNNA HAT THAT?? BARN WAS GORGEOUS THOUGH..

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:52 pm

oops, (little too much wine with dinner) I meant how are they going to heat that house? they really go all out don't they..people's taxes must sky-rockett when they get done with a house from "make-over's..

Lei Owen · Postby **Lei Owen** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:39 pm

I watched it...the part with the trainer was heart warming. His horse fell with him on pavement.

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:17 pm

I'm a party pooper on Extreme Makeover these days. They're getting too carried away, and I wish they would do more beautiful, working class homes, instead of fewer mansions.

surprisewind · Postby **surprisewind** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:24 pm

I tend to agree. Occasionally, you'll see them give the family money - or some company will give them money - to help with extra heating costs, etc. but one does have to wonder how it will be handled in the long run. If they could not afforto fix the holes in the roof, how are they going to pay taxes and electric bills, and how will they maintain such professional lanscaping jobs, pool cleaning for some of them... geezx..

The best I ever saw, they built a more modest home (a couple of the kids were still sharing rooms even) and came up with scholarships. And so far, I've only seen one family that I thought shouldn't have been chosen.

But that Freedom Hills, episode... wow.

surprisewind · Postby **surprisewind** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:44 am

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeacti ... 1165602312

Mike Rea's family started a petition to ask Extreme Home Makeover for a handicapped accessible house. His shower was upstairs, halls weren't wide enough for a chair, etc. He's got a wife and four children and I can only assume is having problems making ends meet. So ABC created a mansion at the riding center.

He has a blog, too - http://www.mikerea.blogspot.com/ It sounds like he has wonderful friends and family, but they could certainly use some help...

I don't see why they couldn't have built two nice houses instead of one McMansion, but I guess the ratings weren't as good.

spex4me · Postby **spex4me** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:04 pm

in case you missed it and can stream it here's the link:

http://dynamic.abc.go.com/streaming/landing

then find Extreme Makeover Home Edition.