NBC's George To The Rescue
Newsworthy & Impact-Driven Design
As seen on TV
NBC’s George to the Rescue
Oct 7, 2023
A Life-Changing Renovation
for a Resilient ALS Warrior
When NBC’s George Oliphant and the team from George to the Rescue met Jackie Pearsall, a devoted father mother, wife, and School Teacher, living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), they discovered a family struggling to adapt their home to the rapid progression of his illness. Once a vibrant, active woman, Jackie had lost mobility and independence — and the family’s home no longer met his needs.
Context
The Family's Difficulties
Daily tasks like moving from room to room or accessing the bathroom had become exhausting and unsafe. His wife and children were doing everything possible to help, but the physical and emotional toll was immense.
The request was to convert a second-floor bathroom into a nadicap accessible space for Jackie to use as her condition progressed. But the bigger issues were:
- How would Jackie get to the bathroom multiple times a day?
- For family dinners and holidays, Jackie would spend most of the time away from the family, if she needed to be in bed.
Ideation
Center Island Contracting had a better plan
We insisted that if we were going to go through the trouble of a renovation, we were going to do something that could be really useful. That’s when we suggested we take the two-car garage and completely transform the space into Jackie’s own private sanctuary, with an accessible bathroom and first-floor bedroom suite so that when she needed to lie down, her family could still include her in the gatherings.
Watch the Episode
Watch the full transformation below, or jump to key moments from the build:
0:00 – 1:25 Introduction
Meet the family and learn their story.
1:25 – 5:40 Demolition & Prep
The garage is cleared and prepped for transformation.
5:40 – 9:15 Framing & Infrastructure
CIC’s crew installs framing, insulation, and accessibility systems.
9:15 – 12:50 Finishes & Custom Work
The space begins to take shape with cabinetry and finishes.
12:50 – End Reveal
The emotional reveal and homeowner’s reaction.
This wasn’t a typical renovation
The Challenge
The team had to:
Convert a garage into a warm, livable suite with proper insulation, flooring, and climate control. This require architectural plans, permits, foundation work, structural steel, new siding, new flooring and more.
Integrate accessibility into every inch — wider doorways, curbless shower, open turning radiuses for a wheelchair, medical-grade electrical loads, and low-threshold flooring.
Meet an accelerated filming timeline, coordinating with NBC production crews while maintaining build precision and code compliance.
Blend compassion with craftsmanship, creating a space that was as beautiful as it was functional.
Designing for a Better World
The Transformation
In just about two (very hectic) weeks, Center Island Contracting’s design-build team worked side-by-side with the show’s designers and volunteers.
They reframed the entire space, installed new HVAC and electrical systems, and built an ADA-compliant bathroom complete with a roll-in shower and accessible fixtures. Custom cabinetry was designed to provide easy reach and storage, while finishes were chosen to feel homey and comforting — not clinical.
As filming progressed, the family’s excitement grew. Every day revealed something new: freshly painted walls, warm flooring, soft lighting, and elegant details designed with care.
By reveal day, the garage had been transformed into a beautiful, functional sanctuary — a space that restored dignity and independence for Jackie. Her emotional reaction, shared on camera, was a reminder that great construction can change lives.
Project Highlights
400 sq ft garage transformed into ADA-accessible suite
Fully integrated HVAC, plumbing, and electrical redesign
Curbless shower and accessible bathroom
Custom cabinetry and built-ins
Completed under an accelerated TV filming schedule
Featured on NBC’s George to the Rescue
Driven by passion, guided by purpose.
Why Center Island Contracting Was Chosen
The show’s producers selected Center Island Contracting for our proven ability to deliver high-quality, complex renovations on tight deadlines — without sacrificing care or precision.
We brought:
Design-Build Expertise
Integrated architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof.
Technical Skill
Managing HVAC relocation, ADA compliance, and finish coordination simultaneously.
Empathy & Communication
Working in a lived-in family home with sensitivity and professionalism.
Proven Track Record
Recognized across Long Island for craftsmanship, reliability, and transparent communication.
We love what we do
“Every member of our team poured their heart into this project, It reminded us that great construction isn’t just about structure — it’s about people.”
Caleb Haniquet
Founder of Center Island Contracting
