At 12 years old, Maya MacDonald was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a condition that causes partial paralysis of the digestive system. After her diagnosis, Maya’s mother Sarah began researching the best treatment plan. Their doctor suggested treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, seven and a half hours away from their home in Guelph, Ontario.
Finding Support Far From Home
Sarah was concerned about the distance at first, but the Global Patient Services team at NCH connected their family to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio
“It was really the reason we went with Nationwide, knowing that we could drive and be local, but also the wrap-around care that they provide,” Sarah explained.
Without staying locally in Columbus, Sarah and Maya would have spent hundreds of dollars on hotels, gas, and fees for crossing international borders. They expressed their gratitude to the team at RMHC for being the home-away-from-home they needed as Maya underwent four rounds of treatment in July of 2024.
“We did have the same person check us in for three of the weeks, so it was nice to get to know them and be greeted by name and say welcome back,” Sarah said.
Experience at the House
Maya explained that her first impression of the House was that it is kind, open, and full of people ready to help. The Ronald McDonald House was better than she had originally expected and had everything she could hope for and more.
One of Maya’s favorite spaces in the house was the Zoo room because of her love for animals and nature. She also noted the quiet spaces for reading and the large courtyard. Sarah loved the renovations done to the kitchen and all the bright spaces for children, including the atrium.
Healing and Giving Back
Since Maya’s treatment, her quality of life has improved, but she is taking the road of recovery one day at a time. One year after treatment, the MacDonald family is back with an entire suitcase full of donations, with even more being prepared at home. The MacDonalds just want to give back in any way they can, so other families can have the same comforting experience they had.
Maya has also been selected as a Mile Champion for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon. On the day of the race, Maya and 23 other patients treated at NCH will line up on the mile markers of the marathon. You can check out her page here.
Maya and Sarah would like to extend a big thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and donors for such a positive experience they had during their stay. Thanks to you all, they were able to enjoy a safe and supportive home-away-from-home while Maya underwent treatment.