Case studies

We are eternally grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities

My son’s name is Ekam and he was 6 years old when he was admitted to hospital. He had his 7th birthday there just before his second transplant

We live in Leicester. We stayed at Ronald McDonald House Birmingham from 8 Oct 2010 until the beginning of January 2011. 

My son needed a bone marrow transplant and our local hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, did not have facilities for children in this clinical area and so we were referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  It was a very low point for our family. Our son had been diagnosed with a serious condition that required lifesaving treatment and we were overwhelmed with the situation, but had to continue as ‘normal’ for the sake and sanity of our children. We did not want to alert either of them to the severity of Ekam’s situation. 

It was a very hard time for the family in many ways. It felt like being separated from my husband and daughter, and Ekam from his dad and sister.  Ronald McDonald House took away the anxiety and gave us a base from which to function as a family as best as we could under the circumstances.  It meant my daughter and husband could visit every weekend, and I got to stay with my daughter at the House while my son got to stay with his Dad at the hospital. 

The facilities at the House were absolutely marvellous. It was like staying in a 4 star self-catering hotel.  We really appreciated having this facility, particularly as it was so close to the hospital.  We were able to have real meals, have some private time away from the hospital and after a stay I felt able to change shifts with my husband. It made our horrendous time at the hospital easier. This is not a comment on my son’s treatment, which was second to none, just that being in a hospital dehumanises you and takes away a lot of your day to day privileges and privacy. And you are dealing with seeing your child’s pain while receiving treatment.

We are eternally grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities and know first-hand how important this facility is for parents who have sick children staying in a hospital.  Having your own room and facilities allowed for down time and a breathing space when everything around you is crumbling down.  It kept us sane and safe, providing a haven and a positive environment. 
Ekam is now doing well, he is back to school and his central line came out July this year (2011) and we visit Birmingham Children’s Hospital as outpatients. We’d like to keep it that way.