Yahoo News Grand Designs fans in tears after home built for young mum left paralysed
Viewers were gripped as couple Kara and Jonny built a wheelchair accessible home
What did you miss?
Grand Designs viewers were in tears and said they had never felt "as invested" they did in the latest build featured on the Channel 4 show.
Wednesday night's instalment (9 October) saw Kara and Jonny building an accessible home after Kara became paralysed when she developed Neuromyelitis optica, which the NHS describes as "a rare autoimmune condition that affects the nerves in your eyes and your spinal cord". She ended up in a wheelchair and after she suffered falls at home, the couple decided they needed a place that had been adapted for Kara - but didn't compromise on style.
The total cost of the project was £380,000, with parents-of-two Kara and Jonny raising £280,000 and family helping with the rest.
What, how and why?
The couple designed much of the house themselves, making sure to include elements like wide doorways, no thresholds and a window seat where Kara could sit - without her chair - and look out over the countryside. Sideboards and furniture had to be carefully planned to make sure it was all accessible.
Host Kevin McCloud told viewers that for Kara and Jonny, their dreams for their home came lower down the list than their needs. "This building has to just simply perform at a phenomenally high level," he said.
Work on the stone and zinc home in West Yorkshire was tough on both, as Kara was upset that her disability meant she couldn't do more. Meanwhile, Jonny was working at the same time as the build was going on, then putting in hours on their project after work at evenings and weekends.
The build was well under way when disaster struck and Kara fell, disrupting metalwork from where she had previously broken her back and leaving her needing an operation.
What did viewers say?
Viewers were gripped by the moving story, with some saying they were in tears. Among the comments, one wrote: "This is the only grand designs that's moved me to tears, it's the dream for families with a disabled family member lovely."
Another said: "Bawling over #GrandDesigns tonight m not just because I'm secretly in love with Kevin McLeod, but because my god THIS IS how accessibility should be. What a gorgeous, thoughtful couple."
Someone else wrote: "Don’t think I’ve ever shed a tear watching the reveal at the end (though perhaps for a sad event) - but there were definitely happy tears for this family. A beautiful home for beautiful people #GrandDesigns."
Another added: "Kara & Jonny what an inspiration, would bring a tear of happiness to a glass eye. Watched this and my heart is full of love for them, their amazing family and an unbelievabley stylish joyful house."
Several calling Kara and Jonny "an inspiring" couple. "This has to be my favourite episode ever @Kevin_McCloud," one wrote on X.
Many said they had never cared so much about a Grand Designs build. "Never been so invested in a house build in 25 years of Grand Designs," one person posted on X.
"So want this build to work for this couple," said another. "They have been through so much and don’t have a lot of money. Kara is an inspiration for how positive she is."
"Don't think I've ever rooted so much for the people taking part," said someone else. Another commented: "Bit of an emotional rollercoaster tonight. Come on Kara and Jonny."
"Have never wanted a project to work so badly!" remarked someone else. "What a fantastic couple."
What happened?
Luckily, the build went well, with the pair sticking to their budget and the design going according to plan. Kara also underwent surgery, and when McCloud went back to visit her she said she was doing "really well".
The family also loved their new home, with Kara saying: "This building gives me freedom... I don't free trapped."
