Meet mom, Meaghan King
My name is Meaghan. My family and I are from British Columbia and we stayed at RMHC®SCO for over two weeks when Reid had brain surgery at McMaster Children's Hospital.
Hometown Chilliwack, BC
Days 16
Service Used Hamilton House & Hamilton Family Room
Our Story
Our family is unique. We have three kids, and our oldest has a rare syndrome. We thought she would be our medical child, but life had other surprises.
Our middle son, Reid, went undiagnosed for four long years. We were faced with unanswered questions during that time – we felt alone. After endless nights of vomiting, seizures, and my little boy crying in pain, we finally received Reid’s diagnosis: Chiari 1 Malformation.
With a diagnosis in-hand, we continued the uphill battle to figure out treatment options. Finally, McMaster Children’s Hospital gave us something no one else could: hope.
Within a day of the good news, my husband, Reid, and I were on a flight to Ontario, leaving behind our two other children. I’ll never forget watching Reid smiling at the puffy cloud outside the plane window, even though he was schedule for brain surgery within a week. I landed in Hamilton a ball of nerves: What would the outcome look like? Would surgery cause more issues? How do we keep him sake and happy post-op while so far from home?
That first day, we discovered the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in the hospital. All of a sudden, we started feeling calmer – steps away from Reid’s bedside with coffee, snacks, meals, and a quiet place to sit. The Family Rooms were close enough to Reid that I never had to worry, but they gave us the space we so desperately needed.
Then there was the Ronald McDonald House itself. We checked-in after sending Reid into surgery and were greeted with warm smiles and compassion. The House became our home for the weeks that followed. Reid recovered quicker than expected, but still needed appointments, urgent scans, and time to heal. Having the House meant he could do all of that while also experiencing joy.
Reid called it his “Ronald McDonald Hotel.” He had his own adventures there, playing in the Games Room, watching movies, and chasing toy cars down the halls. I watched his smile return, and for the first time in years, he felt special. Being able to connect with other families did wonders for his healing and mine.
When Reid’s dad had to leave – to continue taking care of life back home – I watched his heart break a little. But quickly, Reid took me to the Games Room (his favourite spot), where we laughed, cried, and began to heal again.
Reid was allowed to be a kid again, even in the middle of pain and recovery.
He got to join summer camp, celebrate Christmas in July, and make new friends. He felt safe, comfortable, and cared for.
We know it took a village to provide the best care possible to my family. To everyone part of that village, thank you. And to Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario, you made one of the hardest chapters of our lives easier to bear. You gave home and community, and we will always be grateful.
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