Network Endorsements
Phyl Macomber, Author of T.H.E. P.A.C.T.
Selected as a Top Worldwide Professional
in the Field of Special Education
Phyl Macomber
CEO of Make A Difference, Inc.
Selected as One of the Top 100 Women to Know
by the Rise Her Network
Hit the Amazon #1 Bestseller List
in the First 24 Hours of Release
People of Distinction Show
Host: Al Cole
Guest: Phyl Macomber
Difference Maker Award
Phyl Macomber
Bestselling Author, Award-Winning Speaker, and
International Education Specialist
Some of Phyl Macomber’s volunteer work includes having collaborated with the television crew of ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for a special needs learner and family in the state of Vermont.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was an Emmy award-winning ABC television series which was devoted to rebuilding families’ homes when the family was in need of new hope. It is made over by a team of builders – including all the rooms, along with the exterior and landscaping. The show was one of ABC’s top-rated series and was hosted by Ty Pennington.
Ty Pennington, Host of ABC Extreme Makeover
In desperation, a Vermont family wrote a letter to the ABC show, with the support from their child’s medical and school team, asking ABC for help – for a new home without physical barrier in their current home. At the time, the show received over 5,000 requests for help each week.
This family got their wish when a full-scale television crew was on a dirt road in a small town in Vermont filming the beginning episode. Under the rules of the show, the house must be built in 106 hours and this house was to be built on one level due to the accessibility considerations for this child with special needs. This little boy was born with arthrogryposis, a rare disease that causes restricted joint movement. He also required a tube to breathe because his larynx was not developed and could not speak.
The ABC Extreme Makeover Crew
The energy-efficient house was specifically designed for the family with complete handicapped accessibility, generator back-ups, and climate control.
The home was also fitted with communication software to enable the child to tell his family what he needs or feels.
The result was that Louie found his voice.
Phyl Macomber Works with the ABC Team
Phyl Prepares the Communication Technology
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition built this family a state-of-the-art “green” house in just over 100 hours. Volunteers described the home as beautiful, but not ostentatious or palatial. It was filled with special touches and medical equipment to make the child’s life easier.
“Move that bus!”
In addition to the new home, the family was surprised the evening before the home unveiling with an art exhibit at the Brattleboro Art Museum of their child’s artwork.
Ensuring that All Children Could be Artists
Phyl consulted with the family, along with the medical team, and fabricated adapted paint handles to hold paint brushes to further increase the child’s independence in producing his artwork.
This child’s artwork, along with artwork produced by other children with disabilities, was showcased in the museum the night before the home unveiling.
Back on the ABC makeover site, Phyl was interviewed by Nicole Orne, a staff reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer.
Phyl Macomber, International Education Specialist
Recipient of the Partners in Care Award
Parent to Parent of Vermont is an organization that “offers a variety of programs and services that support families who have children with special needs.” Their mission is “to nurture and support families whose children have chronic illness, disability, or have been born prematurely; and to encourage the implementation of family-centered policies and practices at all levels.”
Each year, Parent to Parent of Vermont gives the Partners in Care Award to one or two individuals who adopt the practice of family-centered care and provide support to families with children with special needs in the state of Vermont.
Dr. Patty Prelock, President of the Board Directors,
Presents the Partners in Care Award to Phyl Macomber
Phyl Macomber’s Acceptance of the Partners in Care Award
While there are many reasons why this acknowledgment of my work was very significant to me, perhaps the best way to convey its impact on me is to quote from a letter I sent to the folks at Parent to Parent of Vermont after the awards ceremony was held:
