A Dancer With MS is Helped on the Next Extreme Makeover Home Edition  2/6/06

"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" HELPS FULFILL THE ARTISTIC DREAMS OF A FORMER BALLERINA AND CURRENT DANCE TEACHER, NOW UNABLE TO MOVE AROUND HER HOME AND STUDIO DUE TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Montel Williams and Members of the Dance Theater of Harlem Make a Special Appearance

"Crawford-Smith" -- Once a renowned dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Carol Crawford-Smith had to abandon her passion for performing when she was stricken with multiple sclerosis. She can barely navigate her home and dance studio now, but that will all change when Ty and the gang revamp and create a new home that will help her continue to live a life of dance, in a special two-part "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 (7:00-8:00 and 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Carol currently resides in Blacksburg, Virginia with her two sons, Hunter and Garland, and is the artistic director of The Center of Dance. The Center, which Carol founded, has choreographed over 100 community productions for the school and its resident company, UJIMA. A few years ago, after experiencing numbness and fatigue, Carol was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Today she can barely walk the 21 steps leading to her dance studio or move around her ranch home, which has the laundry room in the basement, a sunken living room and even more steps to the kitchen.

Carol continues to provide instruction, workshops and programs in dance-theatre, even though she can no longer demonstrate the moves herself. She is committed to passing along her love of the art to others, saying "I'd rather smile and keep going than cry and feel sorry for myself." Carol's dream has always been to have her home and studio in one place so she can continue to teach and spend precious time with her young boys.

In addition, talk show host Montel Williams sends an inspirational message to the Smith family and members of the Dance Theater of Harlem come down to Virginia and perform at the site. This episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will truly give this leader in her community a better life and help fulfill her artistic dreams.

Ty and the gang, along with Building Specialists, Inc., and hundreds of workers and volunteers, will transform the Smiths' house into a combination home and dance studio, while the Smith family goes on vacation to the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA.

The design team for this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will feature team leader Ty Pennington, along with Paul DiMeo, Preston Sharp, Paige Hemmis and Daniel Kucan.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Tom Forman and co-executive produced by Denise Cramsey. The series is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

Source: ABC Press Release