Follow Us:
Upcoming Events
April 21, 2012
The Doors of Compassion
More Info...
May 19, 2012
6th Annual Tab-a-pull-ooza
Pull Tab Contest
More Info...
July 18, 2012
16th Annual Ronald McDonald House Golf Classic
More Info...
More Events ->
|
Testimonials
2011 Ambassador Family
Lexi
Story as told by mother Sarah
Alexis (Lexi) Michelle Grace was born on July 14, 2010 at Southview Medical Center. She was 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 21 in. long.
According to Lexi's mother Sarah, "When Lexi was born she did not have a good cry when she came out, so I knew right away something was wrong. They took her to the nursery to clean her up and a half hour later they came to tell us that she was having difficulties and they were going to transport her to Dayton Children's. After seeing the neonatologist, she was diagnosed as a trachea esophageal fistula (TEF) baby, among other issues. TEF means that her trachea and esophagus were connected and her esophagus stopped and then started again. They told us she would have to have surgery the very next day, only one day after she was born.
My husband went to Dayton Children's with our daughter since I was still admitted at Southview Medical Center. The nurses at Dayton Children's told us about the Ronald McDonald House. The next day, the House called and had a room ready for us. We did not know how long Lexi was going to be in the hospital, but it was so comforting to know that we had a place to stay right across the street from our newborn baby. It was a very long four months in and out of the hospital. In four months, Lexi had seven surgeries and was readmitted five times into the hospital. We stayed at the House throughout those months and anytime I needed something, someone was always there to assist me.
We also have a 3-year- old daughter, Makayla, and the House gave her an opportunity to stay with me so we could be together during these difficult times. The Ronald McDonald House was my home for four months and I am so thankful for them. Lexi is now almost one year old and we are happy to report, she's doing very well."
Serenity
After three miscarriages LaTosha was about ready to accept the prognosis that she would never be able to conceive, but in March of 2010 she found out she was pregnant again. It was a tough pregnancy - one that included a month of bed rest. But LaTosha fought for little Serenity who was born prematurely, weighing only 3 lb. 4 oz.
The doctor immediately put Serenity in the NICU to ensure survival. Parents LaTosha and Christopher hated being separated from their newborn, but thanks to the Ronald McDonald House they were able to watch over Serenity every day. The staff and volunteers at the House, which is just across the street from the hospital, provided comfort, relaxation and rest to them through six weeks of stressful circumstances.
"I was scared - I had already lost two children, and I didn't want to lose another. I found hope and strength in other mothers at the House though - other mothers who were going through similar situations with their babies," says LaTosha. "They prayed with me. They consoled me. We got through our trials together. And when Serenity started growing, gaining weight, and becoming healthy, I was more thankful than ever for the Ronald McDonald House - they kept me close by my miracle baby."
2010 Ambassador Family
Little Joseph
Story as told by parents Dave & Laura
Joseph Douglas Middleton was born December 2, 2009 at Springfield Regional Hospital. We had gone to the hospital a little after 5am that morning and about an hour later our son was born 6 weeks premature and weighing only 4lb 7oz. His lungs were underdeveloped due to his prematurity and he was diagnosed with Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Around 7am the next morning, the neonatologist made the decision that Joseph's breathing had not improved, that he needed to be intubated, and transported to Children's Hospital of Dayton so he could receive the specialized care of their NICU.
That morning, we said goodbye to our son as he traveled to Dayton while we remained in Springfield for the next several hours. Once we were reunited with Joseph later that day, the thought of having to leave him again every night to drive home seemed unbearable. Thanks to the nurses in Springfield and at Children's, we found out about the Ronald McDonald House.
For the next 39 days, the Ronald McDonald House became our home away from home. During a time that was filled with such stress and uncertainty, it was a welcome comfort to know we could stay across the street from Joseph. Being able to stay so close allowed us to spend extra time with Joseph each day, instead of spending that time driving home each night. The accommodations the House offered helped us to physically recuperate enough to function day to day, but it was the kindness and compassion of the staff that provided us with the friendship we needed to rejuvenate our spirits. For this, we are eternally grateful. We never could have imagined this is the way our son's life would begin, but the challenges he has overcome are now part of who he is and who we are as a family.
The Ronald McDonald House is also now part of our lives as a family and will always hold a special place in our hearts...it truly is the house that love built.
~Dave & Laura Middleton
2009 RMHC Ambassador Family
Jena
Story as told by mother Lori
Jena was born on October 7, 1997. She was a full term baby weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz. and she seemed very healthy. At one week of age, however, things changed drastically. Jena started screaming and moaning non-stop and doing things I knew were not normal for a one-week-old baby. After having three children before her, I knew there was something very wrong with our little girl. I took her to her pediatrician and she sent us to Mercy Medical Center in Springfield to the pediatric unit. The nurses realized as soon as we got off of the elevator that there was something drastically wrong with her. She was transported to Children's Hospital in Columbus and we were told that she has a brain aneurysm which caused significant damage to her brain and the doctors told us that she would not survive through the night. Well, despite the odds, Jena did survive through the night, the longest night of our lives, and in fact, she will be 12 years-old in October.
Since that life-altering day on October 14, 1997, Jena has been admitted to The Children's Medical Center of Dayton more than 35 times for various reasons, and each time, The Dayton Ronald McDonald House has been there as our "home-away-from home". We live in Urbana, OH so The Ronald McDonald House becomes our home during Jena's stay in the hospital. I can't say enough about the facility and the staff to do it justice. The facility provides all of the comforts of home, whether my family and I need a bed to sleep in, a place to eat a meal or relax together, or simply do our laundry (as we know the work never ends!). There are times that I just stay overnight in the hospital room with Jena, but just knowing there is a place to go to "get away" or that a room is available if I need one is PRICELESS!
The facility is amazing, but it is the staff that makes it feel like home! They cater to our needs like we are staying in a 5-star hotel. They are all so understanding and compassionate which is just what you need when trying to take care of a sick child and also care for the rest of your family at the same time. No one will ever understand the importance of this facility, unless they actually depend on it like my family has so many times.
Christopher and Justin
January 19, 2005 was a big day for parents Rick and Dawna. It was the joyous day they gave birth to twin sons. This long awaited day quickly took a turn for the worse when doctors informed the family that Christopher, one of their newborn twins, had a ruptured bowel and needed emergency surgery.
Christopher was immediately transported to Dayton's Children's Medical Center with hopes of saving his precious life. As residents of Westchester Ohio, the family desperately needed a nearby place to stay so they could be close to their sick infant.
They found all the comforts of home at the Ronald McDonald House. Little did they know, they would end up staying at the Ronald McDonald House for 127 days while Christopher, and then later twin brother, Justin, both underwent surgery for life-threatening issues.
Through the Ronald McDonald House, they were able to stay in a supportive and caring environment where they could be available to their sick, hospitalized child within a moments notice.
Tara
In her own words
"Hi. My name is Tara and I have I.T.P., a rare blood disorder. I come to Dayton Children's every four to five weeks for treatment.
It takes me one and a half hours to get to the hospital. The treatments last for two days.
In between treatments, I go to the Ronald McDonald House with my mom. The people there are very nice and they treat us like family.
They always give me a toy when I go there. Staying at the House saves us a trip home, which I would have to make with an I.V. in my arm.
The Ronald McDonald House is like a second home to me."
|
|
