Meet Sarah, Jacob, & Grace
My name is Sarah VanderHeide. My family and I are from Port Colborne, Ontario and we stayed at RMHC®SCO when our daughter was rushed to the hospital for surgery.
Hometown Port Colborne
Days 4
Service Used Hamilton House & Hamilton Family Room
Our Story
At just 5 years old, our daughter Grace was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery … it was one of the scariest moments of our lives.
Everything happened so fast. We barely time to think, let alone plan.
All the fear and uncertainty hit at once - suddenly our child needed immediate medical attention and our minds raced with questions like, “How will we afford the extra gas for traveling between home and hospital?”, “How will we care for our other toddler?”, and “How will I care for myself since I am nine months pregnant...?”
When I found out that I could stay at Ronald McDonald House, it truly felt like a weight was lifted off our shoulders. I couldn’t imagine being away from Grace especially when she needed her family by her side.
What’s more, I was nine months pregnant with our third child - traveling to and from Port Colborne everyday would’ve been both nerve-wracking and uncomfortable. Staying at the House, just a 5-minute walk from the hospital was such a relief. Not only could we stay close to Grace, but baby #3 was due any day – if I did go in to labour, I was already at the hospital!
The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at the hospital were also such a blessing. Jacob and I felt like we had a home away from home in the hospital, where we could grab a snack, have a warm coffee, and take a few moments to sit and breathe. We felt so welcomed at both the House and the Family Rooms – the staff and volunteers were always smiling. Ronald McDonald House truly felt like home during a time we needed it most.
Now, every year, we proudly support Ronald McDonald House on McHappy Day because we know, firsthand, how much their Mission means to families in crisis. We give back in any way we can so that other families, just like ours, can have the same support when they need it most.
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