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Keeping Families Close

December 16, 2015
We knew the baby was coming, but we didn’t know when.

 

On a Wednesday in April, an expecting mother in Columbus, Ohio had picked us to be the adoptive family for her baby girl – a very premature baby who could arrive any time in the next few days. In fact, the baby was born the following Sunday morning, as much as eight or nine weeks premature.
That first afternoon and evening at Riverside Methodist Hospital was a whirlwind: We held our darling 4-pound baby for the first time and named her Zora. We also learned that she might need to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at Riverside Methodist Hospital for six to eight weeks, or longer.

 

Then a hospital social worker told us about Ronald McDonald House.

 

We had heard of Ronald McDonald House Charities before, of course. Didn’t it help people with sick kids? Then it dawned on us: That was us now. We needed a place to stay, one that would let us focus on our child’s growth and development, instead of the chores of daily life. Ronald McDonald House was the perfect answer.

 

All of it was free of charge. But best of all, it was free of hassle. RMHC transformed what could have been the most frustrating aspects of our stay in Columbus into pure simplicity.

We also appreciate how the Ronald McDonald House made the trip easier on our older daughter. She loved seeing and holding her new little sister – for about five minutes. But at the Ronald McDonald House, she bounced from the basement play area to the upstairs princess room. In the large dining area, she struck up impromptu games with other children her age. And every time we arrived or left the Ronald McDonald House, she climbed the bench out front to give the statue of Ronald McDonald a hug. She even got to meet Ronald McDonald himself one morning – a moment that she will remember for years to come.

 

None of this is possible without the volunteers and contributions that keep Ronald McDonald House running.

 

We may never need to stay at Ronald McDonald House again. But we will always remember how much easier it made our journey, and how much it helps the journeys of so many others. Please join us in supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and make a donation today.

 

Sincerely,
Theo, Jennifer, Aliyah and Zora
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Story’s Story

October 8, 2014
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Story is a darling little girl!

For almost a year old, this little girl looks healthy. She is full of giggles and smiles—however, there is more than meets the eye. Story’s story is a wonderful reminder of hope. Lauren, Story’s mother, was 20 weeks pregnant when she went in for a regular checkup, where the doctor became concerned about Story’s heart. Lauren and her husband, Adam, were sent to a high-risk fetal doctor, where they learned heavy news—their baby girl had a major heart defect.

The Hill family is from Kentucky, and their doctor knew their home hospital would not be able to handle the magnitude of Story’s heart defect, so Lauren and Adam were referred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The couple did not know where they would stay during Story’s surgeries and treatments, so they were referred to the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, and knew this place would serve as their home-away-from-home during a scary and unknown time in their lives.

On October 23, 2013, Lauren made the trip to Columbus. Because of the magnitude of Story’s heart defect, Lauren would be giving birth at Riverside Methodist Hospital, which is known for their fantastic labor and delivery services. On October 28, 2013, Story was born and four hours after her birth, she was transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. On November 1st at a mere five days old, Story had her first of three heart procedures and her heart was the size of a strawberry. She was in the hospital for 3 ½ weeks. At five months old, Story had her second surgery, which was more intensive and invasive. The little girl had a blood transfusion and her heart was stopped while she was put on bypass.

Earlier this year, Story was not taking her feedings, but Lauren and Adam were convinced it was because she was teething. Her mother took Story to a scheduled appointment, where the doctor gave devastating news:  Story was having heart failure. She was immediately airlifted from Kentucky to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. On July 3, 2014, Adam and Lauren made the decision to put Story on the transplant list.

Every morning, Lauren would wake up and say to herself, “Today could be the day that my daughter gets a new heart!” Even though there were dark days, Lauren and Adam never gave up hope. On August 17th, Lauren didn’t wake up thinking about Story receiving a new heart. Adam was in Kentucky keeping insurance going when Story’s doctor gave some unexpected news:  he was stopping Story’s feeds and Lauren needed to call Adam, because they had a heart for Story! “We experienced so many emotions that day—we grieved for the family that had lost their child, fear for the major surgery our daughter would endure, and elated there was a match for our sweet girl.”

The surgery went well, and Story has had some bumps in the road, but she has been staying at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House during her weekly appointments. “The Columbus Ronald McDonald House is our home-away-from-home. The volunteers and staff are our second family. We love having our suite here at the House because we can cook and spend time together as a complete family and keep our life feeling normal in abnormal circumstances. We love what a homey atmosphere this place is—the smells and sounds are familiar to our own home. With the stress of being three hours away from our home, we do not know what we would have done without RMHC of Central Ohio. This place is a gift, just like Story’s heart is a gift to us.”

Update:  Today is a wonderful day to celebrate with the Hill family. After being in Columbus for more than four months, Story is heading home today! We are so glad we could provide a home-away-from-home for this young family during a season of their lives.


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© RMHC The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates; McDonald's, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. RMHC of Central Ohio is recognized as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a) and has 501(c)(3) status. Donations to RMHC of Central Ohio are deductible. Donors should consult their tax advisor for questions regarding deductibility. The RMHC EIN is 31-0890152. A copy of the RMHC determination letter is available upon request. Ronald McDonald House Charities Central Ohio 711 E. Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43205 614-227-3700 : rmhccommunications@rmhc-centralohio.org