posted 4-20-2004

ABILITY is Hooked on Troy McClain

With the slight jab of his hand and the now infamous phrase "You're Fired!" Donald Trump let go potential Apprentice Troy McClain, one of America's favorite candidates. During Donald Trump's new hit series The Apprentice, McClain established himself as the down-home country boy brimming with good looks, charm, charisma and enough street smarts to quickly establish himself as a formidable opponent on one of the most competitive reality shows yet.

On the final episode of The Apprentice, Trump himself made it clear that McClain has become America's new sweetheart when he stated, "There's a guy in the room named Troy who everybody loves." McClain is currently in talks to work with the ABILITY House program, a partner of Habitat for Humanity International that builds accessible homes utilizing volunteers with disabilities.

During an appearance on LIVE with Regis and Kelly, McClain shared about his experiences growing up with an adopted sister who is deaf and has developmental disabilities. It is this very personal connection, combined with his "street smarts," that brought ABILITY to McClain, recognizing him as the ideal spokesman and leader to take the ABILITY House program to the next level.

"We are very excited that Troy has an interest in working with us," said Chet Cooper, the founder of the ABILITY House program and editor-in-chief of ABILITY Magazine. "Because of his sister, Troy has a genuine understanding of the obstacles that people with disabilities face in our society."

This past weekend, Cooper spent time with McClain at his Boise, Idaho, residence and accompanied him on a fly-fishing expedition - where the two talked of changing perceptions and eliminating stigmas as they let out long casts of the fishing line. "I want to do something I'm passionate about," says McClain. "I have all these opportunities at my doorstep, but what's important to me is making a difference in this world. My sister, who is deaf, hasn't had a job in three years. I'd like to think I was doing something to change that - to make more opportunities for people with all types of disabilities."
McClain's role with the ABILITY House program is still in negotiations.

About the ABILITY House
Created in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, the ABILITY House is an award-winning program recently honored by President Bush with a Presidential Community Volunteer Award. Established to offer accessible, affordable housing for low-income families where one or more members has a disability, the ABILITY House program utilizes volunteers with disabilities during all phases of construction and showcases an array of dedicated, talented and hardworking individuals.

The ABILITY House program demonstrates the potential of every person and empowers a community with a new level of awareness.

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For more information, contact:
Romney Snyder, ABILITY
949-854-8700 ext 307
romney@abilitymagazine.com

http://abilityhouse.com