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Crowded house becomes home for ALS victim

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A family of eight returns to a renovated home with much-needed space.




By ADAM AASEN, The Times-Union


Television cameras swarmed around the Goodall family as they toured their newly remodeled home in rural St. Johns County.


With the help of Builders Care, a charity of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, a cramped, three-bedroom home for eight people had been expanded to five bedrooms.

Just like on a home makeover show, there were tears of joy and screams of surprise as they took the tour.

But it also was a bittersweet day.

Kenny Goodall, a father of six, is nearing the end of his fight with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Knowing his children eventually will be without their father, the Rev. Chris Simons, operations director for Builders Care, said it was important to build a home in which they could grow up.

"We hope Kenny will have peace in his heart that his family will be OK," he said.

As family members wiped his tears, Kenny slowly mouthed words to his wife, Karen, as she repeated them for all: "I am confident you all [will] be taken care of."

In April 2006, doctors diagnosed 42-year-old Kenny with Lou Gehrig's disease, a weakening of the muscles officially known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

He was told he might live two years. Shortly after the diagnosis, he and his wife learned they were having their sixth child, Kendyl.

Kenny now is barely able to move or speak.

A welder by trade, he was planning to buy a new home or at least make some renovations before the disease struck. With five kids and another on the way, there simply wasn't enough space.

Four boys - ages 14 to 2 - slept in one room with some on the floor.

Karen had more responsibilities to deal with and her oldest kids, 14-year-old Kollin and 13-year-old Kaley, had to "grow up pretty fast" to help out.

Her friends at Mill Creek Missionary Baptist Church helped Karen keep her faith through the difficult times.

"It's difficult, but the Lord has put it [the disease] in our life for a reason," Karen said. "I think we managed pretty well. I don't how people do it without the Lord."

Through Builders Care, she said a miracle happened.

Not just a house but a home

Builders Care teamed up with ICI Homes after division President Don Wilford learned about the Goodalls.

The house was built in 1942 and had "substandard everything," Wilford said. Crews restored the structure, added two more bedrooms, another bathroom and a new family room. Working 12-hour days, the home was rebuilt in 10 days.

As 2-year-old Kolten saw the race cars in his new room, he immediately dug out toy cars to play with.

"They'll never get to bed now," Karen said.

Kaleb, 6, and 8-year-old Konner fought over who got which bed in their shared football-themed room.

Kaley broke into tears as she saw her room, decorated with polka dots and a photo of her with University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Karen said she loves her new kitchen, the household intercom and playground for the kids. Most of all, she's happy she has friends who would "do all of this for her family."

"We don't just have a house anymore," Karen said. "We have a home."

Kollin might have been the most grateful for his own space. The high school freshman said few words but smiled as he saw his own room decked out with Florida Gators gear.

No longer will he have to run into Kaley's room to take his private phone calls. More importantly, he's happy his mom is excited about the new home.

"I was just excited to finally get into the new house. Finally get to sleep here tonight," he said.

adam.aasen@jacksonville.com,

(904) 359-4247


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"We don't just have a house anymore. We have a home."

KAREN GOODALL

Her eight-member family was living in a three-bedroom house

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...63082527.shtml

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See more photos and watch a video of the Goodall family reacting to seeing their newly expanded home for the first time. jacksonville.com