An Extreme Experience
by Taylor McCabe

I met Lon, Julie, Jade, Saphire and Louie Carter three years ago when my dad needed brain surgery. Julie, her daughters, and my dad all have Arnold Chiari (key-r-ee) Malformation, a condition where the brain is being compressed at the base of the skull. Julie Carter started a support group in Billings for families dealing with Chiari, called the Chiari People of Montana.

Julie is an amazing woman who never complains and would give you the shirt off her back. She has made it her life mission to make sure that people do not have to suffer for years with Chiari.

When our family had the opportunity to help build Julie a new warm home, with the "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" cast and crew, we jumped at the chance. The Chiari People of MT were invited out to write thank you cards that now hang on the wall in Julie's Chiari office. Yellowstone Valley Woman's Magazine put a picture of me writing my thank you in their magazine. My dad helped with the electrical, my mom helped with the landscaping and I got to help move in some pillows along with a six year old named Emily, who has Chiari.

We met all of the designers but especially liked Paul who took Emily, my brother, Brassar, and I on a tour through the house once it was complete. He took us to the music room and we played tambourines while Paul played the guitar and sang. He was awesome. He also did the chicken dance with Emily.