“Dear Ronald McDonald House,
Throughout much of my childhood, I spent a significant amount of time at Ronald McDonald House while undergoing ongoing surgeries for achalasia. From the age of 11, when I was officially diagnosed, through to being classed as an adult, I was in and out of hospital every 3–6 months. It meant being away from what felt like a normal life, and missing out on what most would consider a typical childhood.
After long and overwhelming days, often going through the same procedures again and again, coming back and being able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House felt like stepping into a place where I could just be a kid again and be close to the family members who were there with me.
Ronald McDonald House had so much to offer, especially for my family and my siblings, who were also navigating an experience they never chose. It meant they didn’t have to spend all their time within hospital walls. We could rest somewhere quiet, be surrounded by other families who understood what we were going through without needing to explain it, and most importantly, stay together rather than being separated by hospital rules and stress.
Some of my most unexpected and special memories came from that time. We celebrated my siblings’ birthdays there, and I’ll never forget the effort the volunteers went to in creating the most amazing cake for my 16th birthday. We also got to experience everything the House had to offer. Little animal zoos visiting, footy players coming in, and moments like that brought so much light into what could have otherwise been a very heavy time. It wasn’t just special for me, but for my siblings as well.
It also made a huge difference for my family financially. It meant they could focus on me and my health, instead of worrying about where to stay or how to manage everything that came with long hospital stays.
We were even given the opportunity to attend the Palm Cove retreat offered through Ronald McDonald House, which gave us something incredibly rare during that time. A chance to truly relax and be together as a family, away from the constant medical environment.
Looking back now, I can see just how much that environment shaped the way I coped. It gave me comfort during a time that could have been incredibly isolating and frightening, and it gave my family a sense of stability when everything else felt uncertain.
Now, returning as a parent with my own child, I understand it all on a much deeper level. But it all started with the little girl, who simply needed a safe place to come back to at the end of each day.
From, Brooke”