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‘Extreme Makeover’ family, friends gather for premiere of local episode

Tears flow on and off screen as family relives experience.

Teesha McClam/Staff photographer Joe Terpenning (left), James Terpenning and his wife, Shannon, view their episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" at the Hilton Garden Inn in Beavercreek on Sunday, Nov. 8.

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By Ken McCall, Staff Writer Updated 2:25 PM Monday, November 9, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — The biggest applause line Sunday night at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” watch party wasn’t about the house.

It was about the man.

Almost 200 people joined James Terpenning and his family at the Hilton Garden Inn in Beavercreek to watch the premiere of the episode in which star Ty Pennington, his crew and hundreds of volunteers build the Terpennings a brand new 3,300-square-foot house in a week.

And the line that got the warmest applause of the night from those in attendance — including three Air Force generals and members of the Beavercreek City Council — came from Pennington after watching an introductory video about Terpenning and the obstacles he’s overcome.

“All I can tell,” Pennington said on the nationally televised show, “is that dude is truly amazing.”

The crowd at the watch party erupted, and for good reason. An orphaned son of an American soldier and a Vietnamese woman during the Vietnam War, Terpenning was rescued by the Air Force and brought back to this county. Having contracted polio as an infant, he’s been confined to a wheelchair his whole life.

But, as the show illustrated, that didn’t stop Terpenning. He became a wheelchair athlete, winning gold and bronze medals in the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, got a job with the Air Force, and is raising a family of four children.

Before the airing, Terpenning admitted to being a bit on edge.

“I’m nervous, anxious, kind of excited,” said the unassuming Terpenning. “All three.”

All the media attention hasn’t been overwhelming, though, Terpenning and his wife, Shannon, said.

“It’s actually not too bad,” Shannon said. “Not as intimidating as I thought it might be.”

And they absolutely love the house. Especially its effect on their children.

“I’ve been able to interact with my kids a lot easier inside and outside,” he said. “There’s so much space.”

Just before the show’s airing, Terpenning thanked the audience, many of whom were volunteer builders.

“Words can’t tell how appreciative we are,” he told the crowd. “I can tell you right now, when my kids grow up, they will do the same thing. You showed them what people are all about — they take care of each other, wherever they’re at.”

During the airing, tears were flowing on and off the screen. The Terpennings not only got a beautiful new fully wheelchair-accessible home, but they also got full scholarships for all their children to Wittenberg University.

Terpenning, who shed numerous tears of gratitude on the show, said he got emotional all over again.

“It’s so amazing,” he said just after the show. “They did a very good job. Thank you very much.”

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Jealous much Greasyfingers? I'm so sick and tired of hearing all the negativity around this. This is a family that gives back to the community despite all their own needs. They deserve what they got. Kudos to ABC and all the volunteers. BTW, they didn't get a new car, because they didn't need one.

Enough
1:41 AM, 11/10/2009

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Sprat - you have no idea how funding for state universities work versus private universities by making a statement like that. Wright State's hands are tied on giving out scholarships that are not donated from donors and cannot "gift" state money especially during budget cuts to state funding. Wittenberg is a private (not state funded school) and can do so with out all the "red tape".

Enough
1:39 AM, 11/10/2009

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SOUTHPAW DESIGN, your work ROCKS! So glad I got to see more pics here on DDN.com!

Grapelady
8:32 PM, 11/9/2009

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greasyfingers, That's an incredibly small-minded, mean-spirited comment. Since when did a college not have the right to give a scholarship to whoever it chose? Will the Terpenning kids getting scholarships keep your kids (if you have any) or you (if you want to go) from attending?

gotacomment
6:40 PM, 11/9/2009

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I loved watching this episode - amazing house for a sweet, wonderful family!

Beavercreek Resident
6:38 PM, 11/9/2009

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