We believe keeping families close to their child during a hospital stay is essential to their wellbeing. It’s hard to explain what families go through and how simply having a place to stay makes a difference so we’ll just share Amber’s story and introduce you to Gunner.
“Gunner has a slew of diagnosis. I believe he has been inpatient 26 weeks of his life. He has been G tube dependent his whole life as he cannot swallow. He became trach dependent at 5 months and requires a ventilator at times.
A lot of people ask me how I do it, and to be honest as long as Gunner is okay, I am okay.
Gunner has multiple treatments I give him every day to help with his breathing and to clear his lungs. The absolute worst time is when he coded. I work for EMS but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would ever have to code my own son. He was gone, no heartbeat, no nothing, and by the grace of God I was able to get him back right before paramedics got to the house. He was flown to Roanoke, but it was touch and go for a long time. That will always be the absolute worst day of my life.
Without the Ronald McDonald House there is no way that I would have ever been able to make it. The Ronald McDonald House always gave me a warm bed, a hot shower, a roof over my head, and hot meals every day. I could wash my clothes and anything that I needed they always had. They have made us a part of their family and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for us. God has truly blessed us.”
Yes, there are days I feel sorry for myself or depressed, but then I look at Gunner and see all that he has been through, how happy he is, and realize how truly lucky and blessed I am.”
Amber, Gunner’s Mom
We simply cannot help families like Gunner’s without you. Please help us continue caring for families at a critical time in their lives.
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