Ronald McDonald House

As I have mentioned before, my youngest daughter has mitochondrial disease. This requires visits to Cincinnati Children's Hospital (about 1 1/2-2 hours away) and Cleveland Clinic (6-7 hours away). Sunday night we traveled to Cincinnati for my daughter to have an overnight sleep study completed. While there, I spent the night with her while my husband and other daughter spent the night across the street at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH). We have stayed at the one in Cincinnati as well as Cleveland.

Before Makenzie's illness, I had heard of RMH before. Had seen the little change donation boxes at the local McDonalds. I never realized what a huge impact on people's lives they have for families of seriously ill children. Our stays have ranged from 1 night to over a week. I have met families there who have been there for much longer periods of time due to their child's illness. While in the house, you will hear conversations in many different languages as people from all over the world come to get the care their child requires. As you can imagine having a seriously ill child can be stressful both mentally and financially. RMH helps with both of these issues.

Our stays have been wonderful. Family interaction is encouraged. Food is provided by generous donors to help with the financial strain. Rooms are comfortable but not such a heavy financial burden as the hotels many of us are forced to stay in to get the medical care our child needs. Most of all the staff and volunteers are friendly. Because of the way the house is laid out, families spend time together sharing stories and supporting each other. Most of all it keeps families together. In the 6 years this disease has been with Makenzie, our other daughter has spent many nights at friends and families houses because we needed to be with Makenzie. We have wonderful friends and family and they try to keep Mary's life as normal as possible but it still is disruptive to her life.

I right this to encourage people to support this very worthwhile charity. If you have one locally support it with your time. All kinds of volunteers are needed for various capacities. If you are involved with some kind of group, volunteer to make and serve food for a meal. You supply the food and you cook it at the house. While we were there a local high school group came and cooked brunch for the families.

Another option if you have a house locally is to organize a drive for necessary items. There is usually an item donation list online for each house. You can also call your local house and ask them what they are in special need of at that time. Organize a collection for these items with your local church or other civic group.

If you do not have a RMH locally, then support them financially. Make a donation to the charity. I know that Cleveland RMH charges families $20 per night to stay there but the actual cost to them is around $70 per night.

Your donation of time and/or money really does help families who are in very stressful situations both emotionally but especially financially.