Strengthening families with a community of care

Nelson Family

For the Nelson family, it’s been a 7-year journey of diagnosis, treatments, and hospitalizations taking them to 3 different cities. Their son Christian has experienced complications and recurring seizures leading to multiple ICU and hospital stays. With a family of 5, Mom Crystal juggles travel, and hospital stays with the two young brothers, Judah and Roman, while Dad continues to work back home. It’s been an exhausting experience.

“We were over an hour away from home and found the Pensacola Ronald McDonald House which has been an amazing experience. I never had to wonder what I was going to feed the kids or myself. At the end of the day, Ronald McDonald House came to our rescue. A volunteer, an employee, other kids, the magic room, or playroom made us feel so at home, a place to be a family,” Crystal said.

The family is going through each diagnosis and hospitalization knowing that they can turn to the Ronald McDonald House for a much-needed break. Being at the House has been a welcome distraction for Christian’s brothers and a comfort to Crystal.

“Our family is so grateful for the Ronald McDonald House. We know we can count on them to be there for families like us, and that gives us so much comfort and hope.”

Davis Family

In 2005, just a week after Hurricane Katrina devastated their home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Davis family welcomed their precious son Brennan into the world. Little did they know that within five days of his birth, he would be rushed by air to the hospital. It was during those challenging two months in the ICU that they were introduced to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

Grace, Brennan’s mom, shares their RMHC family story and how much the House has meant to the Davis family…

Raising a medically fragile and special needs child is an incredibly fulfilling journey. However, it also comes with its share of trials, such as mounting medical bills, travel expenses, out-of-pocket medications, and the inability to work at times due to hospital stays and treatments. These hardships take a toll on families, and the financial strain can be the most overwhelming burden of all.

For us, the RMHC was a lifesaver. Throughout Brennan’s hospital stays, surgeries, and appointments, we were spared the immense financial stress of finding accommodations and covering meal expenses. This tremendous support lifted a heavy weight off our shoulders, enabling us to fully focus on Brennan’s care and well-being.

One of the most precious gifts the RMHC has given us is the opportunity for Brennan’s sister to be by his side. Facing major surgeries and obstacles as a united family has been an absolute blessing. Keeping siblings together instead of apart during this challenging time has significantly smoothed Brennan’s medical care and recovery journey.

We are not only grateful to have made new friends at the RMHC; we have gained an entirely new family, an extraordinary support system.