Episode 2/4
The O’Hanlon family are in desperate need of an adapted house for their little girl, nine year old Aoibhínn. Aoibhínn was born with a severe type of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which pose significant challenges for her and her family, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She is completely paralysed from her belly button down and has had to have a shunt inserted to drain fluid from her brain. Aoibhínn lives in Mooncoin, County Kilkenny – with her Mam Sharon – Aoibhínn’s full time carer, her Dad John, and her two younger siblings.
After many years struggling to secure the money to build a home to meet Aoibhínn’s growing needs – with a lot of knockbacks and refusals – John and Sharon eventually managed to secure an extremely modest mortgage and embarked on their self-build. Progress has been painfully slow – despite family and friends giving every spare moment to the project.
To save money the family moved in with Aoibhínn’s grandparents. Conditions there are cramped as the house is now jam-packed with assistive devices and mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, a stander, commodes, high chairs and a changing unit. John and Sharon might eventually achieve their goal of a home for Aoibhínn but not without budget driven compromises and not without further significant delay. DIY SOS – The Big Build can make a huge difference to this young person’s life – right now.
About Series:
Deserving families facing difficult personal circumstances, who need help to improve their quality of life, get a significant home renovation – a big build – all through goodwill and substantially delivered in just 9 days.
This series brings out the very best in people. In every episode an army of volunteer builders, labourers, trades, suppliers, friends and neighbours come together – giving their time, labour and materials free gratis – to help a family in real need. It showcases Ireland’s incredible community spirit. It quietly celebrates the generosity, dedication and pure altruism of big-hearted volunteers and suppliers, all who work tirelessly to help change someone’s life in a very tangible way – by making their house a home to suit their needs, now and into the future.
These battalions of high vis vests and hard hats are corralled and cajoled by the big and bold Baz Ashmawy. Baz keeps spirits high and tensions low as teams work into the night to realise these amazing big builds.