My name is Frankie and I would like to nominate Andrew Van Orsow and his family from Faribault, MN for Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I am 10 years old and Andrew's Mom, Denise, has been my Daycare Provider since I was 2 months old.

I know firsthand the difficulties the family has been through. Andrew has Cerebral Palsy and is disabled because of his premature birth. He is in a motorized wheelchair all day long and cannot transfer in or out of his chair without help. He only has the use of his left hand to do things for himself. Bathing, hairwashing, shaving and other personal care are done with the help of his parents. That limits his ability for independence. He has had 17 surgeries in his 17 years. 3 of the hip surgeries he has had required a body cast from his armpits to his toes for 10-12 weeks at a time. His last surgery was to correct his curved spine. He was in a hospital bed for 2 months in his bedroom (9'x12'). He has anxiety attacks and one of his biggest fears is falling down the narrow staircase in his wheelchair. He has a chair lift to go to the basement.

Andrew's family include his twin sister Amber. His Dad, Paul works construction. Half of his paycheck goes to pay for health insurance that the family needs. His Mom, Denise provides daycare in their home. She is there to keep a handle on Andrew's medical, therapy and day to day needs. When the work day is done they are home to care for Andrew.

One of the problems with the Van Orsow home is that the 1700' rambler house is not accessible for the motorized wheelchair. There are numerous dents, scrapes and holes in doors and walls because of the wheelchair and narrow kitchen and hallway. We have to move things out of his way when he gets home (like boots, shoes and backpacks) There is re-occuring mold on the windows, baseboards and walls. This mold can trigger his asthma and upper respiratory problems in the winter because the house is closed up. The driveway is steep and gets very slippery in the winter. This can be a problem when he is trying to get to the bus in the morning.

I am inspired by Andrew and his love of God and his sense of humor. He wakes each day with a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He is my hero for being so kind to others. He would rather that people see him as a person and not a disability.

The Van Orsow's are very giving. Amber is on a church mission trip to help rebuild the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. Amber has also donated hair to Locks Of Love. The family has given to those serving in Iraq. Denise has taught us at daycare that it is better to give than to receive. Each Christmas we buy gifts for a family in need.

An Extreme Makeover would be a huge blessing for the Van Orsow Family.