By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
It was No. 19. And this one was a major surprise.
The 19th hole in golf is a popular slang term for the clubhouse bar, restaurant, or lounge where players gather to socialize, eat, and drink after finishing a standard 18-hole round. This No. 19 was truly a hole-in-one for Judi Gerding, founder and president of The Point/Arc.
It was residential home No. 19 for the 54-year-old Covington non-profit agency. And this one brought special tears to Gerding’s eyes.
The name — The Stephen Richard Gerding Home.
The totally handicapped accessible 5,529-square foot, seven bedroom home initially was to be called The Yung Family Foundation Advanced Care Home. Gerding family members and the Yung Family surprised the 86-year-old Gerding with the home – named after her son who passed earlier this year.
At a young age, Steve was diagnosed with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, a condition characterized by short stature, moderate to severe intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and broad thumbs and first toes.
Additional features of the disorder can include eye abnormalities, heart and kidney defects, dental problems and obesity. These signs and symptoms vary among affected individuals. People with this condition have an increased risk of developing particular types of noncancerous brain and skin tumors.
The plan for the home was the dream of the Hauck Family – Owen, Shirley and son Doug. It was their dream to transfer their severely disabled son – and brother — Glen home from the Oakwood State institution in Somerset, Ky. Glen was a resident there from 2003-2005.
“Between the years 2003 and 2005, Boone County High School alumni — co-hosted by former National Football League star, Shaun Alexander – raised $149,000 to support The Point Arc’s Advanced Care Home,” said Gerding. “Their efforts were inspired by Coach Hauck – Boone County’s football coach – he had a dream to bring Glen home from the Oakwood State Institution.”
Glen passed after the third-year of fundraising, in 2005 – and the project was put on hold.
“Before Owen’s passing in 2016, we made a promise – to complete the home in honor of him, Glen, Shaun, his former players, and the Goal Line Slam Committee,” Gerding recalled.
That promise moved closer to reality when an anonymous donor gifted the 2.37-acre property where the home stands at 6125 Financial Drive in Burlington.
The now Stephen Richard Gerding Home will provide specialized care, adaptive equipment, and accessible living spaces for six residents whose needs continue to evolve as they live longer, fuller lives.
Additionally, the new home is constructed with six-foot wide hallways – to accommodate wheelchairs – and accessible finishings.
“The six residents will move in to the new home between now and Thanksgiving,” Gerding said.
“This home represents a tremendous investment in the lives of the individuals who will call it home,” COO Brandon Releford told the assembled crowd at the noon ribbon cutting, Thursday.
“It is a place where people can build friendships, experience independence, create memories, and live their lives with dignity and purpose.”