How RMHC is helping one family stay strong, even when they can’t be together
A School Year that Feels Different
As summer winds down and the smell of new school supplies fills the air, most parents are preparing to walk their children into the classroom and snap those classic first-day-of-school photos. But for Brianna Sublett, this back-to-school season looks nothing like she imagined.
Her youngest daughter was born at just 22 weeks and is now receiving intensive care in the NICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Meanwhile, over 70 miles away in Waverly, her two older daughters are getting ready for preschool and second grade without their mom there to see them off.
“Thinking about not being there for their first days of school, not knowing how much we’re missing—it’s tough,” Brianna shared. “All three of my children are what give me purpose. I’m missing two pieces of myself when they’re not around.”
Home-Away-From-Home in Columbus
Because of the long distance and the delicate health of their newborn, Brianna and her husband can’t travel back and forth. Instead, they’ve found refuge at the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus.
“RMHC has been the best resource we’ve been offered by far,” she said. “It has eased so much of the stress we’ve faced. Without it, we would be in a much more difficult situation.”
Staying at the House has allowed Brianna to be close to her baby while still supporting her older girls from afar. With the support of RMHC, she’s been able to afford back-to-school essentials like supplies and lunch items—expenses that would have been out of reach with the added cost of travel.
Holding It All Together
The emotional weight of being apart is heavy. Brianna and her husband went from sharing their girls in a week-on/week-off co-parenting schedule to only seeing them a few weekends each month, sacrificing time together to protect their medically-fragile newborn from illness.
“We’re doing our best to keep routines in place, but the emotional and mental stress of being apart makes it hard. We worry that all of this may affect their focus and their start to the school year.”
Still, Brianna finds small ways to stay involved: working with their stepmom to gather supplies, hoping to attend orientations and meet the teachers, and maintaining open communication between households to keep everyone on the same page.
Finding Moments of Joy
The Ronald McDonald House has provided more than just a place to stay; it’s been a place where her kids can still feel like kids. When they visit, they love the Zoo Room, the educational programs about the animals on the TV, and learning about animals together.
“These little moments mean so much. The House brings joy, even in the middle of everything we’re going through.”
A Message for Other Families
Brianna knows she’s not the only parent trying to juggle the medical needs of one child with the educational needs of others. Her advice to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House during back-to-school season:
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when your child is in the hospital and you’re trying to juggle everything. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of the resources available to you. You’re not a burden—and you’re not alone.”
Missing the First Day But Still Showing Up
Unfortunately, Brianna won’t be there for her older daughters’ first day of school this year. Instead, she’ll be by her newborn daughter’s side in the NICU, doing everything she can to support her recovery and give her the strongest possible start in life thanks to RMHC. And even from miles away, Brianna is still doing everything she can to prepare her girls for a successful school year.
This is the difference your support makes. You help keep families connected, even when they can’t be together physically. Thanks to you, Brianna is able to be close to her newborn, relieving the emotional and mental toll of traveling back and forth.
Thank you for helping us keep families close, supported, and strong through the most challenging seasons of their lives.
To support families like Brianna’s as they go through the most difficult times in their lives, you can become a monthly donor and create lasting impact.
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