Have you ever been to a Ronald McDonald House? If so, then you know all too well where I’m coming from. If you haven’t then no worries….I’m going to give you some insight as to what it’s like to stay there.
In March of 2015, my daughter was born at 27 weeks. My world was turned upside down. Three months early ya’ll! I couldn’t believe it and it happened so fast due to the sudden onset of Preeclampsia. Shelby, my daughter, was immediately put in the NICU and would reside there for 94 days at the Hemby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Charlotte, NC.
I spent a week in the hospital and during that time a social worker came in my room and informed me that my daughter would be spending some time in the NICU and suggested I think about staying at the Ronald McDonald House. She gave me some paperwork to look over to help me decide whether it was right for me and told me to let her know. The House was almost a mile away from the hospital which was a lot better than where I lived. After looking over the paperwork and thinking of how hard it would be for me to stay at home and not be able to see my child……my mind was made up. So, I informed the social worker that I was interested.
As I was getting ready to be released from the hospital, Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte called to let me know they had a room available. My husband drove me over and we got checked in. Everyone there was so nice and eager to help us. Anyone staying there had to wear a bracelet and you received a door key for your room. Once I made it to the room and walked in I broke down in tears: they had made a goody bag for us and one for Shelby. I won’t spoil it for anyone that will be a future RMH guest by telling you what was inside the bags because it truly made my day because they cared so much for someone they have never met and I would hope any future guests would feel the same way.
The room was immaculate! You have a bedroom and a full bathroom with pretty much everything you need. What wasn’t in the room you could find just down the hall in the supply room. There wasn’t a TV in the room but it was meant for relaxing and sleeping anyway. I stayed in room 303 and in that room is a journal that the House provided for you to write your feelings and thoughts down. I did just that….so if you have or will stay in that room, you will find my notes and I hope it helped or will help you out.
Only people staying at the Ronald McDonald House and their employees/volunteers were allowed upstairs at the rooms. The main floor had the Kitchen, Dining, Living Room with TV’s, and the main entrance. This floor was meant for all staying and guests to gather and communicate.
Every evening there were volunteers coming in to either make supper or provide it. Do you realize what a relief it is not to worry about at least one meal a day when your child is in the hospital? Not to mention if there are any left overs you can eat that for lunch the following day. There was also a pantry and fridges that were stocked if you wanted to make your own food. You were even assigned a portion of a fridge and/or pantry for just your stuff if you wanted to use it.
On designated evenings there would be volunteers there playing bingo with the House Guests. Also on designated evenings there were therapy dogs or even Brandy the pony.
There was one more floor and that was the basement. There you had the laundry facility and game room.
My main goal in telling you what it’s like to stay at a Ronald McDonald House is to spread awareness. All the staff and volunteers were amazing during my stay! You have no idea the gratitude and how much I hold the House dear to my heart!
With that being said I want to share with you what I mean by the House that Love Built. Ronald McDonald House is a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close to their child at little or no cost to them. The Houses are built on a simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child and this includes where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal, or where they will lay their head to rest at night. The goal is for the parents to focus on the health of their child instead of worrying about grocery shopping, cleaning or cooking. When a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine. By staying at the House close to their child, parents can communicate with their child’s medical team and keep up with complicated medical plans when needed.
Volunteers and donors generosity makes it all possible. In return, families stay at no cost or are asked to make a donation up to $25 per day, depending on the House. Families are never turned away; if it’s not possible to pay, the fee is waived.
Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and relies on the support of the community and other corporate partners. There are local chapters in more than 63 countries and regions around the world. In 1974 the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia. There are now more than 300 Houses in 52 countries. Here’s the link if you want to find the closest one to you.
There are plenty of ways to help or contribute to your local Ronald McDonald House. You can volunteer: whether that be to provide a meal, make cookies, clean, help with an event, etc. You can donate: whether it be money donation, items they are looking for, etc. Check with your local chapter and find out what their needs are!