By this time next week, the Bill and Adair Grommesh family of Moorhead should be in a new home - at the same address.
The Grommeshes were "ambushed" Sunday morning at Fargo's Southwest Ice Arena by the stars of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and told that they would be the recipients of a new, handicap-accessible home.
"To have a fully accessible house for him (son Garrett Grommesh), it's a dream come true, it really is," said Adair Grommesh, the words coming thick and nearly bringing tears.
Their home at 803 22nd Ave. S. became ground zero Sunday for what promises to be a major weeklong construction blitz.
The access road on the west side of their home was packed with television vans, and streets for blocks around were posted for no parking as work crews and equipment were staged to handle the 4,000 volunteers who will participate in the project.
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The Grommeshes have two children, 10-year-old Garrett, who was born with spina bifida and must use a wheelchair to get around, and his 11-year-old sister, Peighton, who has a pancreatic enzyme deficiency known as Axenfeld-Reiger's syndrome.
"Words cannot describe what I'm thinking right now. Words cannot describe what I'm feeling right now," Garrett said.
"I really need a house that is accessible. This is going to make a real impact on me," he said.
The family's belongings will be moved out tonight, and the family will be sent on vacation to the Bahamas, the first family vacation they've ever had, they said.
Throughout today, camera crews filmed the family in the yard and house for the show.
Scores of people looked on from the west side of Eighth Street, while neighbors and friends watched from the fringes of the television production area around the modest single-story home.
"It's still not really sinking in. We still feel like we're part of this dream. We don't want the dream to end. We feel so blessed," Adair Grommesh said.
Plans are to move the house, rather than demolish it, if possible, said representatives of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and lead builder Heritage Homes of Fargo.
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Builders Daryl Braham and Tyrone Leslie said significant work will start taking place in the early morning hours Monday.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
Check back on inforum throughout the day for updates to this story.
People interested in volunteering time or materials or getting more information can go online to extrememakeoverfm.com .
