By Jenelle, an RMHC mother
Our First Experience with RMHC
Our story with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio begins years before our personal “aha moment.” Back in October of 2020, our 2-year-old nephew was diagnosed with leukemia. This shocking diagnosis split their family’s attention and time as treatments began right away.
The Ronald McDonald House provided them with a home-away-from-home while their three older children and real home were over two hours away. Their youngest child was in treatment for three years.
From the sidelines, my husband Adam and I witnessed RMHC provide support to their family, but we didn’t truly understand its impact until we had our own experience.
Layla’s Sudden Illness
In December of 2023, Adam and I were faced with a journey we never expected as young, first-time parents. Our 6-month-old daughter, Layla had mild symptoms (runny nose, cough, low-grade fever) and was diagnosed one Tuesday with RSV. The next morning, she woke up struggling to breathe. We were scared but knew she needed more help than we could provide. We headed to our local hospital where she continued to decline with each passing hour. They decided it was time to transfer to a pediatric hospital.
Layla (and mommy) earned their first helicopter ride to Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH), over 2 hours away from home. We were forced to make “home” in the NCH ER until we were granted the go ahead to move our “home” upstairs to the PICU.
Each passing hour brought negative news. Layla was sedated, weak, and struggling for each breath on the BiPAP machine. Adam and I were scared and numb. The course of this journey was uncertain to all, and each decision was going to be led by Layla.
Finding Comfort at the Ronald McDonald House
At that time, my brother and sister-in-law mentioned that we should reach out to the Ronald McDonald House. We were so unsure of everything—we didn’t know it was worth reaching out. We questioned whether it was something we should even bother messing with since our plate was already so full. But we finally caved and applied for a room. Soon after, we found out we had been approved.
We were so scared to leave Layla’s bedside, but we were blessed with a nurse that reassured us that she would take care of Layla and that we needed to also take care of ourselves. When Adam and I walked through the front doors of the RMHC, we were instantly greeted with kindness, love, and generosity. Who knew how nice that shower would feel and just how nice it would be to lay on a real bed again?!
Before we headed back to Layla, we were informed there was a meal in the dining room. We will never forget that meal—salad, spaghetti, and cookies… a nice change up from the cafeteria food we had for every meal prior!
The comfort and support we received helped to refuel Adam and me so we could head back to Layla’s bedside and support her as much as possible. We looked forward to the opportunity each day to head over to RMHC to rest, relax, and refuel.
Had we not pursued RMHC, I am certain that Adam and I never would have left the four walls of our PICU room for that six day stay. We needed a reason to take a few moments for ourselves, and RMHC indirectly provided that.
Two Years Later: Giving Back
As the 2025 holiday season approached, we coincidentally were making another trip to NCH for an appointment for our second daughter during the exact week we stayed with RMHC just 2 years prior. We knew this was an opportunity calling us to give back to a charity that gives so much to so many others.
Our small community in Putnam County (2 hours from RMHC of Central Ohio) has felt the impact from a variety of medical situations ranging from acute sicknesses, cancer treatments, premature babies, and so much more. So many of us felt compelled to give back this season, teaming up to donate an immense amount of cleaning supplies, foods, and Christmas presents to RMHC.
Now Adam and I look forward to making this a yearly event for our family. We hope to never have to utilize RMHC for our family again, but we do know that if we are faced with a future situation, the Ronald McDonald House will be there.
In the meantime, our family will continue to do the little things throughout the year to support—saving pop tabs, rounding up at McDonald’s, etc.—and hoping to continue leading a yearly holiday donation. We hope many others can find small ways to support such a wonderful charity. Thank you, RMHC of Central Ohio!