Being back at the Ronald McDonald House has been a powerful experience. I like talking to the other parents because it helps me realize that I am not alone. Our situations are all different and our children all have different needs, but the fact is we all know what it's like to have a child who is need of serious medical support.
Parents here just get it. They understand the million doctors appointments or therapy appointments. They understand long hospital stays or watching your child be sent off to surgery. They just get it. Friends and family try to understand and they mean well, but unless you have lived it, you don't get it. I didn't get it myself before I had babies in the hospital for 4 months. My world is different and it's nice to talk to others who understand.
Being surrounded by other parents in similar situations really is powerful.
No one is judgmental. They ask questions about your child because they care. They may have even been through something similar or have the same doctors. It's really nice to talk to the other parents.
Staying here also puts things into perspective. Despite the girls troubles and needs, some families are unfortunately having an even harder time. It helps me get grounded and reminds me to be thankful.
Last week a family checked in with their teenage daughter. She was wearing a mask and she had lost her hair. I assume she is fighting cancer.
When I saw her my heart dropped into my stomach. Despite all they were going through her family was smiling as they talked together. They are all so strong.
A mom I met has her 2 month old son in the NICU. He wasn't a preemie, but he was actually born without the cells/enzymes to digest food. He isn't able to eat and will need a full intestine transplant in order to ever eat food. It is extremely rare. She is a brave mom.
A dad I met has 4 adoptive children and they all have special needs. He was there with his daughter who had eating issues. She would only eat just a few things and was in an eating clinic to help her to accept more food. He was a great dad.
Finally I met a mom who had her 3 year old adoptive son from China with her. She actually only has had him for one month and he already needed a surgery to fix a surgery mistake that happened in China. He wasn't able to urinate due to a severe blockage. He has had a surgery to repair the mistake but they are expecting several more in the future. She too was a brave mom and he was a brave boy.
All of these parents are so strong and they keep moving. They don't give up and it is encouraging to me. I am so thankful for the Ronald McDonald House. It's amazing a place.
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