The 54-year-old was seen having to pause as he struggled to contain his emotions while reading out a letter written by 24-year-old Ryan, who was left disabled and brain damaged after suffering from a bleed to his head.
Since the brain bleed five years, Ryan was forced to live in hospital because his house was not suitable for his wheelchair and also due to a serious mould problem.
However, over the course of nine days and with an army helpers, the DIY SOS: The Big Build team renovated Ryan’s home so that he could finally come back.
The avid football fan from Bristol, who uses computerised technology to communicate, had put together a message to thank all the people who had helped re-build his home so that it was wheelchair-friendly.
“This is Ryan’s words of thanks: ‘All I wanted was to come home and be with my family. I miss my parents, brother and sister everyday and have found it hard to cope knowing I can’t be with them or speak to them when I want to.
‘The last five years have been the hardest of my life. I was ripped away from my family because of what happened to me but you have brought me home.
‘You will never know -’,” Nick paused as he clearly his throat and fought back tears. He had to look away from the message in his hands as he looked up and smiled, saying: “I’m not sure I can do this.”
He bravely continued: “‘Thank you for what you’ve done for me, you will never know the difference this will make to my life, allowing me to again be with my family. We can all look to the future together now and won’t feel so alone. I can’t believe this is real. I am finally home.’
“Then he’s written,” Nick said as he held up the piece of paper, which read simply “I’m home”.
As Nick read out the message of thanks from Ryan, the camera cut to all the builders, electricians, plumbers and volunteers who had helped to renovate his home showing them all wiping away tears as they appeared very emotional.
The episode ended on a poignant note as Nick directly addressed viewers, telling them: “You know when Ryan was taken so very seriously ill, the medical profession did what they do. They looked after him and they’ve been looking after him for five years but they couldn’t get him home.”
He continued: “It took the skills of an electrician and a plumber and a bricklayer and a plasterer to get him back to his family and sitting and watching him them in the back garden, just listening to the conversation running around him – for me, epitomises what a huge thing has been done here. Something we take for granted. You know, we can’t help everyone but everyone can use their skills to help some.”
DIY SOS: The Big Build is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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