Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson Helps AN “extreme makeover: Home Edition,” Family SURVIVE A DOUBLE TRAGEDY WITH A new home that will allow them more freedom to enjoy their lives
TUNE IN ALERT: Sunday, APRIL 22 at 8:00pm EST
Ty and the gang of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” along with some finishing touches from Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson will create a home that is accessible for the entire Westbrook family of Lawton, OK, who have suffered much hardship and two separate accidents that left both father and son paralyzed. This edition of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will air SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Gene Westbrook, the father of three and husband to Peggy, volunteered to fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was left paralyzed and received a purple heart. After being discharged from the military, he devoted his time to speaking about his experiences and helping others. A loved and respected member of the close knit town, Gene had to jump through many hoops just to be able to afford a handicap accessible van that allowed him to drive.
On June 10, 2006, one year after Gene was paralyzed in Iraq, another tragedy hit the Westbrook family that would further impact their lives forever. While on their way to a friend’s house, the wheel of their van which they believed became loose, causing Gene to drive into oncoming traffic and the vehicle to roll over into a ravine. The family doesn’t remember much of the accident and suffered many serious injuries: son James was paralyzed from the waist down, daughter Katie required surgery to remove one of her kidneys and Gene broke his ankle and knee, and now suffers from short-term memory loss. With over a million dollars in medical bills, the Westbrook family can’t afford to make their house accessible for one person in a wheelchair, let alone two. This double tragedy has been toughest on Peggy, who has shown great courage in keeping the family together during this difficult time.
Lauren was proud to help with this Extreme Makeover and was thrilled to be a part of this unique endeavor to help this wonderful family in her home state, Oklahoma.
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