A’ron was born in Austria with a rare genetic disease to Gabor and Anna. There they raised him, seeking treatment with local doctors. About two years ago, the couple discovered an experimental brain surgery being performed for his condition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. They decided to try it.
Anna and Gabor were nervous; they had never traveled so far with A’ron before. Not only were they worried about the surgery itself, but they were also concerned about lodging and accommodations, as they would have to stay in the States for about a month total.
When they arrived in Columbus around 10:00 p.m. after two long flights, they were exhausted. The last thing they wanted to do was figure out where to get something to eat. The friendly family service managers checked them in, helped them find some leftovers from dinner to easily heat up and showed them their bedroom for the next month.
“That first night when we went to bed,” said Anna, “we felt like we were in a good place.”
As they began to take A’ron to his pre-surgery appointments, they started calling the Ronald McDonald House their “home” they were going back to. While they already felt anxious about the upcoming surgery and A’ron’s health, the couple found relief in having the burdens of cooking, lodging and accessing basic daily necessities taken off their shoulders.
Every day after appointments, the family returned “home” to smiles from workers, volunteers and other families.
“The staff who works in the House—they uplift you so much,” said Gabor. “We cannot always be with family and friends during A’ron’s treatment. But here, I had the feeling that we are still part of a community.”
The family enjoyed the library and the music room the most. The three of them all love music, so the music room provided a way to escape their stress. Anna played piano, Gabor played guitar and A’ron played any instrument he could get his hands on.
“A’ron very much likes when his father plays guitar,” said Anna.
The couple said they experienced many cultural differences as well, one being the societal treatment of people with special needs.
“In Austria, people with special needs are rather isolated from society, because we try not to disturb them or stress them out,” said Anna. “But in the States, when people looked into A’ron’s face, he becomes alive.”
After a successful surgery and recovery, the three of them returned to Austria, but they still visit often for A’ron’s checkups. Last time they were back at the House, A’ron participated in a fall pumpkin craft with students from Ohio University’s “BobcaThon” that he really enjoyed. The volunteers leading the activity said he was engaged and smiling from ear to ear.
Now, the family still thinks kindly of the Ronald McDonald House, seeing it as their “home-away-from-home.” Anna and Gabor extend their gratitude to the supporters of the House, and they are so thankful that RMHC of Central Ohio has made stressful times in their life more manageable.
“When somebody has a family member, especially a child with special needs, the only thing that the family needs is to get rid of the daily chores and to concentrate on your child,” said Anna. “And I think the Ronald McDonald House gives you exactly that: you can spend time with your child.”