By David King
In June 2018, Kyle McClay of American Kitchen Company (AKC) in Concord, launched a TV show concept called “Heart of the Home”, a kitchen remodeling program which is being produced and airing on KRON4. McClay has often proclaimed his love for Concord and has great faith in its future. He has searched for ways to give back to the local communities utilizing the best resource available to him, his years of kitchen remodeling experience.
McClay’s who says the show is about helping those family within our community who may be going through hard times. It is an extraordinary financial commitment. American Kitchen company pays for all of it, including production costs, airtime, and the cost of remodeling. His show schedule requires him to pick six homes to remodel kitchens. Those interested would enter their personal hardship to be considered. With entries coming in all across the Bay Area into KRON4, McClay’s plan is to select six and award free kitchen remodels for the series.
One of those selected was the Molnar family of Pleasanton.
In 2015, Myles Molnar was 15 when he severely injured his spine during wrestling practice, while in Abu Dhabi. He had dislocated the C5 and C6 vertebrae and had it not been for the experience of the coaches, the injury could have been fatal.
He spent three weeks in intensive care, but Myles was rendered quadriplegic. He went through specialized rehab at Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO, which after two months and $40,000, Myles regained use of his arms and wrists. Now attends Foothill High in Pleasanton in a wheelchair still ongoing through rehab therapy at SCI-FIT.
His mother, Laura Molnar maintains the Myles Molnar Recovery Updates Facebook page so people can follow Myles’ journey and perhaps help defray costs.
“We need people to help with the funding because insurance doesn’t cover everything,” said Lynne Menon, a close family friend, told East Bay Times.
The projected cost of care for health and Insurance is $67,600 annually, which does not include the normal cost of living or those expenses required because of the disability such as yard care, cleaning, therapy.
A gofundme page was set up and has raised just over $50,000.
In trying to bring life to normalcy, Menon says, “Myles is very strong. He always has a smile. But this is a difficult journey. He is determined to make this better for everyone around him.”
Part of that normalcy is living arrangements.
Modifications of the kitchen would help make their lives more normal and accessible to everyone family, Laura points out in the show. The family used to eat breakfast at a bar together, but because of his wheelchair, the bar is too high, Myles must eat at a separate table in a different room. The kitchen is not accessible to him.
Needless to say, this was something McClay could and did address. You will need to watch the show to fully appreciate the effort, but these screenshots should give you some idea. By lowering cabinets and a bar, replacing the countertop and sink, and attending to other appropriate details, the kitchen was converted into one of accessibility. The Molnar family, Frank, Laura, sister Anna, and Myles can all enjoy meals together again.
Screenshots in order: 1. Myles Molnar intensive care 2. Myles eating alone in his home 3. Kyle McClay begins demolition. 4. Cabinets were cut by several inches to lower the bar and countertop 5. Molnar family seems to enjoy watching the work 6. The big reveal moment 7. The new kitchen. 8. Myles enjoying his accessible kitchen.
McClay and American Kitchen Company should be commended for this clever community gesture…as well as KRON4. This arguably may be their best production effort. You can watch the show online at https://americankitchencompany.com/TV-Show , look for episode 2 (EP2).