JJ pays it forward
One year ago, our lives changed forever. To celebrate JJ's first birthday, we want to thank those at the Ronald McDonald House Charities who have done so much for us, and we hope you'll help us! Here's our story:
On November 9, 2019, Joe and I packed up what we could and moved from New York to Philly—we didn't know for how long, nor did we know what to expect once our little blessing was born. We booked an Airbnb for 2 weeks (based on a timeline the hospital gave us), but that came and went with no birth and no clearer timetable, so we found another AirBnb to stay in for the next 10 days until our JJ was born.
On December 4th, JJ arrived! Given the health issues that were discovered while he was still in utero, a rare birth defect causing lymphatic malformations around his chin and neck area, I'd never been so excited to hear a baby cry. Our journey didn't end there, though. We knew that JJ's health complications would require us to remain in Philly for weeks, maybe months, and we were lucky enough to get a room at the Ronald McDonald House (Chestnut Street location), located just a mile from the hospital where JJ had to stay.
When I was discharged from the hospital on December 6th, Joe and I moved into the Ronald McDonald House. The room we were assigned was beautiful and clean—it still smelled brand new!—and it was big enough to fit both of my parents when they frequently came to visit. The rest of the house impressed us, too. All of the shared spaces were kept clean at all times, and there were so many toys for children to play with. There was even an area with anything you might need, whether that was toiletries, coloring books, or a cozy onesie! But one of the best amenities was the kitchen—it was huge, was always fully stocked with snacks, fresh coffee, and guests were fed an amazing hot dinner every single night, plus breakfast on weekends! There were even special events like haircuts for kids, holiday cookie decorating, pet therapy, and movie night, as well as a shuttle to and from the hospital 12 hours a day.
The Ronald McDonald House really went above and beyond making sure we felt comfortable at our home away from home, and ensured families had everything they could ever need; words can't express how helpful that is when nearly all of your time is spent at the hospital and all of your energy goes toward making sure your child is OK. Having this place to call "home" made our difficult situation infinitely less stressful, and we will be forever grateful. We were able to put all of our focus on JJ instead of worrying about where our next meal would come from or what AirBnB we'd have to move to next, and each night we were afforded a quiet moment to breathe and be together as a couple and new first-time parents.
While the Ronald McDonald House has a suggested daily donation, one of the great things about this organization is that there's no obligation to pay if you cannot afford it. We spent 104 days living there, which added up to about $1,600 total, an amount we were lucky enough to be able to afford (not to mention about 1/6th of what it would have cost to live in Philly for that long at AirBnBs or hotels!). But we met many families who weren't as fortunate and were unable to pay, and we saw how much this place meant to them, too. In honor of JJ's birthday and to reflect on the past year, our goal is to raise $1,600 for this wonderful charity—we would be so grateful if you could donate whatever you can so that families just like us can continue having access to this amazing place.
More information about Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House: Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope. Our programs include two Ronald McDonald Houses, three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at local hospitals, Ronald McDonald Camp, and a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile operated in partnership with St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
Please consider joining us in making a donation to support the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. It has become our temporary home while Prescott is being treated for a very rare liver tumor at CHOP. We have been overwhelmed with thoughts, prayers, and offers of support during this time. For those of you asking “How can I help?”, please consider supporting this organization that has given us some consistency during this tumultuous time in our lives. They provide lodging, transportation, meals, activities for kids, and many other social services for families with ill children. Even the smallest anonymous contribution can provide snacks for a long day of treatment at the hospital.
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