Home Makeover comes to Ambrose

By: Michelle Chalkey

Posted: 4/9/09

"Every single day, you have the ability to make changes in people's lives," a 1998 St. Ambrose graduate told a room full of occupational therapy majors.

Angie DeLost came to SAU on Friday, March 20 to tell her inspiring story of how she used her role as an occupational therapist to change a family's life. For three years, DeLost has worked with ABC to get her client, the Grys family, on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Steve and Jeannie Grys have hosted over 250 foster children. Their 8-year-old son Jake, who they have adopted, suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which is a brittle bones disease. DeLost has been working with him through her job at Easter Seals in Peoria, Ill. The house they lived in was hazardous to him, so Angie did everything she could to get them a better home. About 40 to 50 people filled the ballroom of the Rogalski Center to listen to DeLost's story. Most of them were Occupational Therapy majors or faculty members.

DeLost described to the OT students just how much they can get out of their field. She advised them of things she has come across in her career that have proven to work best. One thing she learned is to be persistent, as she was with ABC. Another was to think outside of the box by asking what the client really needs, not just asking what the OT is supposed to do.

"Realize your limits," DeLost said. "If you can't help your client, think of who can."

DeLost realized when she and the Grys family couldn't adapt the house to Jake's needs she needed to find someone who could. With persistence and dedication, she got ABC's Extreme Makeover team to build them the house they needed to keep Jake safe. The new house will also allow the Grys parents to continue their dream of fostering children.

"I think this house will make them want to take in another child with Jake's condition," DeLost said.

DeLost played the episode featuring Jake's family. She explained that she cried so much while on camera because she had just had a baby and the whole experience was very emotional for her. When the episode showed her telling the family how much they deserved this home and how great they were, tears and sniffles filled the room. Over half of the audience hadn't seen the episode before. With Angie there in person, it was even more emotional.

"It was such a personal thing to put into words," DeLost said, tears filling her eyes. "The hardest thing was trying to be professional. I could have cried every day because I was so happy."

Jake was supposed to be with DeLost for the presentation.
Unfortunately, he was in the hospital recovering from surgery. DeLost explained that he had his bones rodded, which was a seven to eight hour surgery. He was still in the hospital for pain control. His aunt and uncle, however, were able to come and speak about Jake and his wonderful, giving parents.

"Jake has the ability to go anywhere now," Jake's uncle Bill Grys said. "My brother Steve doesn't believe Jake is handicapped. He says he can do anything, and that's why he and Jeannie are so good at what they do."

Along with the episode viewing and DeLost's speech, there was a table of pictures from the build and fliers for Easter Seals. Among the pictures was also a scrapbook a friend of DeLost's had put together for her. The scrapbook contained pictures and memorabilia from the entire experience; letters which DeLost had written to ABC and pictures of the building process were all included. Fascinated reactions on students' faces as they turned the pages showed how much they liked the scrapbook and the details of DeLost's experience.

DeLost gave more background about her contributions to the house. ABC asked for her help on modifying things for Jake. As an OT, she played a big role in modifying a toilet, sink, shower, bed and even a swimming pool for Jake. DeLost said she started sending in Jake's story to ABC about three years ago, and never heard anything back for almost two years. She never gave up on him and the Grys family, and now Jake will be able to live longer with more independence.

DeLost is a role model not only to OT students, but to everyone because of her dedication to give a family the home they deserve.