When a child is hospitalized, their family can face many difficulties, whether it’s finding time to go home and back to the hospital, or finding a place to rest while still being with their child. That’s why organizations like the Ronald McDonald house are so important. Since 1974, the Ronald McDonald house has been providing a “home away from home” for families to stay near the hospital where their children are being treated.

“Our goal is to consistently provide and maintain a house that families can rely on for a good night of rest, food, warmth, and security while being away from their own homes.” said Linda Porter, Ronald McDonald House’s Event and Community Outreach Consultant.

One of the many families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald house while their child was in the hospital is the Faulkner family. When Meisha Faulkner was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, she required surgery and time at the hospital.

Over the course of Meisha’s stay at the hospital, her parents Lisa and Terrance Faulkner stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, which provided them a place to stay, rest and eat through the duration of Meisha’s treatment.

“My husband and I stayed there for a week.” Lisa Faulkner said. “It was a very pleasant place to stay and it was convenient since it was connected to the Children’s Hospital, so we didn’t have to go all the way home to shower and change.”

The Ronald McDonald House gives families their own room that includes beds, a bathroom, a kitchen, food and  toiletries, all of which are provided by the house for free. This is convenient for families since they have all the basic living necessities they need without having to travel all the way home, which means that they can be near their children during their stay at the hospital at all times. Besides this, the fact that the house is located near the hospital allows them to be there and back in a matter of minutes.

“It’s really convenient and very considerate of parents who have to travel back and forth.” said Terrance Faulkner. “It makes it easier for both parents to stay there without one having to go home and come back.”

The Faulkner family isn’t the only family who has used the Ronald McDonald House while their child was sick. Over the program’s 40 years of service, they have helped 9 million families yearly, and continue to help families all over the country. “It warms my heart to know that I am able to assist the families while they are going through a rough time in their lives.” said Linda Porter.

Through this foundation, families are able to seek help in receiving everything they need to make the situations they are going through as easy and comfortable as possible, which is why it is such an important program that makes a huge impact on the lives of families everywhere.

Yasmine Slimani
Unis Middle School Journalist