the family

Patrick Tutwiler was shot in the neck by an Iraqi sniper and returned home with a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, memory loss and speech problems. Less than a year later, their modest home was hit by the tornado of June 11, 2008 that destroyed a large part of Chapman, Kansas. Patrick and his wife, Crystal, pulled the family into a closet and used their bodies as human shields while the tornado tore the house apart.

Patrick, Crystal, their four children and nephew moved to a nearby military base temporarily until Patrick was given his official military discharge. Because of Patrick’s injuries and his current part-time employment, the family’s finances cannot afford to rebuild or purchase a new home.

Now it is up to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to build this dedicated solider a safer and stronger place they can call home.