the Painting Activist

There’s not much that discourages me more about American culture than most reality TV shows. The Simple Life, Fashionista Diaries, The Bachelor, America’s Next Top Model and many more make me want to throw my hands up (or just throw up) and say, “there’s no hope for us!” It’s a sad sad state when the general public is more informed about Tyra Bank’s latest runway reject than our own presidential candidates.

All is not lost within the realm of reality TV. There are a few shows that have turned my scrunched brow of disgust into a teeth-baring smile. The crowning example is Extreme Makeover - Home Edition, wherein deserving families with incredibly compelling stories rife with misfortune are selected by ABC to be swept away on the vacation of their dreams while a small army (often including members of the family’s community) renovate or rebuild their home into a personalized palace (completely free of charge, thanks to business sponsors) in SEVEN DAYS.

A gargantuan for-profit company like ABC certainly doesn’t need marketing assistance from me, but today the spotlight is on their show because they’re working their home-building-magic here in Louisville. 19 year old, University of Louisville Spanish major, Patrick Henry Hughes was born without eyes and uses a wheelchair. Hughes and his family (both parents and two siblings) had their old small digs flattened this week to make room for their new 3,200sq ft, handicap accessible abode. The house is fully equipped with a “verbal command automation system” that allows Patrick to literally give his house cues, such as “computer goodnight,” which dims the lights and locks the doors (thanks to the generosity of Kentucky based EyeOn Automation). The full story is certainly worth a read.

Now, isn’t this better than, “Like, I just want to be a model because like I just love the industry, you know?”  Go back to school! ugh.