From the day York was born in 2022, he’s faced more challenges than any child should.
He arrived early at 35 weeks, at the Royal Women’s Hospital, and was diagnosed with Severe Aortic Stenosis, a condition affecting blood flow from the heart. His parents Maddy and Josh, from Ballarat, found themselves facing an unimaginable situation as he was admitted for life-saving surgery.
That’s when the family found Ronald McDonald House Parkville. They were welcomed to the House with comfort food and drinks, and found the pantry stocked with goodies. “We ended up staying for eight months”, Maddy remembers. York ended up spending 105 days in ICU and had three heart surgeries.
“If the House didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have been able to be in ICU with York.”
The House didn’t just give them a place to stay, but proximity to the hospital and relief from the financial strain of seeking accommodation. After 12-hour days at the hospital, fridge meals meant Maddy and Josh could easily grab something and heat it up. They could use the Wi-Fi to work. It was these small things that made them able to focus on their child.
“They made days we weren’t looking forward to that little bit special.”
Community was another source of support for York’s parents. Meeting other families going through hardship “allowed us to support when we needed it, and also give it when other people needed it”.
York will continue to need more surgeries in the future, but Maddy and her family can rest assured that they will always have a place to stay at Ronald McDonald House, while he receives the best care possible.