Last Wednesday was McHappy Day, a time when McDonald’s raises money for their in-house charity the Ronald McDonald House (RMH), which provides a home for families who have a child facing health complications or medical treatments from a city hospital. In Manitoba, two RMH locations in Winnipeg provide accommodations for families who find themselves in either one of those difficult circumstances.
Local Valley family Jon and Lisa Boyko, experienced first-hand how truly wonderful of a place the RMH is when you are faced with a child who is experiencing medical complications.
“My husband and I were expecting our first child in May of 2018,” said Boyko. “After what seemed to be a normal pregnancy, I went into pre-term labour at 25 weeks. We quickly found ourselves in Winnipeg at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) with nothing but the clothes on our backs and a 25-week gestation baby fighting for his life.
“Micro preemies have a long and complex medical journey. We knew if our child survived, we would be in Winnipeg for months with a lot of follow-ups depending on the prognosis. It was the NICU social worker who referred us to the RMH. Unfortunately, there were no rooms available at the time, but we were a high priority on the waiting list given our distance.”
The Boykos found themselves in a tough situation when their son, Abel, needed long-term medical care that only a hospital in Winnipeg could provide. Like most families in similar types of situations, they didn’t have a place to stay long-term in the city while getting care for their children.
“We have a few family members that live in Winnipeg and they did help us out for the first week and a half,” said Boyko. “We were told we could stay as long as needed, however, when you are looking at a lengthy stay such as ours, you don’t want to wear out your welcome. The costs started to add up with parking and a half-hour commute one way every day.
“Neither I nor my husband wanted to be away from the hospital, so all our meals were at the HSC cafeteria. We were sitting in the NICU for 14-plus hours a day with no nearby place to rest. It became exhausting.
“A few days before we got a room at the RMH and were given the only parent room next to the NICU,” said Boyko. “The keys to this room are given to the parents of the sickest baby in the NICU, allowing you to be there in seconds if needed. We were there for two nights then got a room with the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in the hospital before getting a permanent room at the house.”
When it comes to a family’s need to stay at the RMH, there is no time limit. Some stay for only a few days, while others spend several months, as their child receives medical care and treatment. This can make the RMH a very busy place that sometimes doesn’t always have vacancies.
“We stayed for 140 consecutive nights at RMH before we were able to bring our baby home,” said Boyko. “Over the next few years, we had many trips for follow-ups, MRIs, and surgeries. Since we had already been registered with the house, I would simply call to check for availability. We were never turned down, they would have a room for us, but the one time they didn’t they assisted us in getting a Canad Inns room at a deeply discounted rate.
“All our stays were at the old RMH in Winnipeg and our appointments became virtual with the pandemic. Recently, we had a health scare that led to a life flight to HSC. After not staying at the home for two years and with the build of the new home, I was worried there would be changes and we would not be able to get in, however, that was not the case. When I called that morning, they immediately had a room available for me.”
For many who have stayed at the RMH, it becomes a home away from home that provides all the comforts and care that a family needs while going through a difficult time when it comes to their child’s health.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) offers so much to families in their time of need and is truly a home away from home,” said Boyko. “You get your private bedroom, there are fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, playrooms, private parking lots to park a vehicle, a secure outdoor area to gather and so much more. But it goes above and beyond the comforts of home.
“I had staff and volunteers offer to wash my laundry when I was spending long hours at the hospital, while volunteer groups came in and cooked meals with food they provided. I have never had someone come to my home and offer to cook or do laundry. The house is a wonderful thing, but it is the volunteers and staff who commit their time to make it a home away from home.”
Boyko feels that the RMHC was a true lifesaver for them when they needed it the most. It allowed them to be by Abel’s side at all hours, and be a constant part of his recovery and development.
“Financially RMHC removes a huge burden when you’re at the hospital full-time and there is no way you can work,” said Boyko. “Keeping things afloat back at home is a challenge, never mind having to take up another residence somewhere else. We had our room that was a five-minute walk to the hospital, with all the amenities we needed.
“I believe it is extremely important for parents to be by a sick kid’s bedside. Without the RMHC we would not have been able to be at his bedside daily for as long as we were. I wholeheartedly believe that the endless hours we spent at the hospital, talking to him, and doing kangaroo care contributed to such a positive prognosis. Without us being there, he may not have done as well as he did and for that, I’d like to think that the countless hours we spent by his bedside helped, and we were able to spend every day at the hospital thanks to RMHC.”
Abel has come a long way since the initial traumatic diagnosis given to him at birth. It was a rough start for both Abel and his parents, but now he is thriving beautifully.
“Abel is excelling beyond the prognosis that he initially received,” said Boyko. “We had been told that the chances of him being able to walk, talk, and lead a life that did not involve a high level of care were slim to none. There was not a day of our stay that was easy, but the first two months were ideally the worst.
“Almost daily I had a doctor tell me ‘If your baby makes it’ and they would go on with a long list of complications that they see happen. People who know Abel, now see a kid who can walk, run, and talk your ear off once he warms up to you. He defeated the odds. We do still have some worries and will have follow-ups in the years to come, but overall, he is doing exceptionally well and has had doctors question his prematurity.”
Boyko looks back at the experience of the RMHC with a fondness, for the volunteers and families she met there, created a support network that she still has to this day. One never forgets the kindness of strangers who help out when it’s greatly needed.
“I will always cherish and remember the friendships we made with other families in the home,” said Boyko. “I met people from all walks of life during my stay, some even from other countries. Through your unique yet similar experience of having a sick child, you build bonds and friendships that you otherwise would not have if it wasn’t for RMHC.
“Yes, your friends and family are there for support, but they truly cannot understand or comprehend the things you are seeing and going through. You find yourself with this support group who understands, you vent to each other and offer each other tips and guidance. They become your second family and you truly cannot forget these people. To this day, I stay in touch with many of them and have even met up with them on a few occasions even though we live miles apart.”
The Boyko family is forever grateful to the RMH for all it has done to keep them with Abel during his stay in the hospital and for the appointments he has had in the city, but they also are thankful to the local organizations who helped them as well.
“On a side note, although this is about RMHC and we come from a small community there are many ways people can contribute to aiding families with sick children,” said Boyko. “Such as our local Lions, Kinsmen Club, and church organizations which all helped us immensely.”