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In November 2016, our full-term baby stopped moving in my belly. Within minutes of arriving at the hospital, our son was delivered through a traumatic emergency C-section. He was born almost dead; he had a very faint heartbeat but after nine minutes of resuscitation efforts, the medical team got it beating at a normal speed again.
He was placed on full life support and flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital to immediately be given a “cooling treatment” to slow his body while the brain was being healed. Our unconscious newborn stayed like this for three days before being warmed up. We didn’t know if he was going to make it and if he did, we were given predictions like “brain dead” and “blind”, perhaps not being able to breathe or eat on his own at all.
Yet, slowly, he made a miraculous recovery. He came to life again. He opened his eyes, started breathing air, and even sucked a pacifier. Our son – Isidoro – was reborn. Isidoro stayed in the NICU for one month until he was strong enough to go home.
When he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy months later, we realized life was going to be woven with frequent visits to Nationwide Children’s. That’s when we fully recognized what an even more amazing home RMH is. Trauma is very debilitating but everything about the Ronald McDonald House made it less so. The House is more than just a bed and a shower. The built-in support group that comes when moms and dads from across the globe are gathered under one roof to care for their sick children. Parents of kids with special needs often feel alone and isolated. At RMH, we don’t feel that. There is comradery, empathy, and understanding from those around us not felt anywhere else. What a relief to be among parents who get it.
Isidoro is now 7 years old and likes to ride horses, swim, watch live music, go to school, and watch excavators at work. He continues to be seen at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and we often stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Now that he is in school, we only come up maybe two to four times a year.
I am an adjunct instructor at Ohio University and teach writing and public speaking. I am on a lot of advocacy groups – once my eyes were open to the world that people with disabilities live in, I decided to be an ally both for them and my son and make this world a more inclusive place. My husband is in graduate school at Knowlton School at Ohio State studying landscape architecture and has an interest in universal design thanks to Isidoro.
Since our first visit in 2016, we have stayed more times than I can count! We did some intensive therapy programs and would stay weeks at a time. In addition, we have check-ins and follow-up appointments. I imagine we have stayed close to 40 times. I think what is unique about the Ronald McDonald House is that it addresses so many of these needs under one roof. Sick children are born every day to parents of all walks of life. And the Ronald McDonald House takes in each and every one of those parents – Without a doubt, I can say the presence of the house has led to better outcomes for our son.