"On January 15, 2005, I was rushed to MUSC by ambulance because I had gone into premature labor. The hospital staff managed to hold my labor off until the next morning. 

On January 16, Brice D. Hatfield was born weighing 2lbs 12oz. I remember being in complete shock when I saw that my baby was not breathing. My husband and I just kept praying that everything would be fine. The hospital staff told us to expect lots of ups and downs, which we definitely experienced and not to expect to leave the hospital until around his due date, which was March 29. 

We were afraid that finding me a place to stay while my husband was back at home working was going to be a challenge. The day before I was released from the hospital, one of the nurses was kind enough to tell us about the Ronald McDonald House. My husband rushed right over in hopes of getting me a room, which he did.

The Ronald McDonald House was wonderful providing lots of support from the staff. Nowhere, of course, is home, but this was a great opportunity to meet other parents going through the same thing. I met so many wonderful people, which I still stay in contact with. My family and I are so thankful for the Ronald McDonald House and the caring staff and volunteers.

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On September 7, 2005, Craig was placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant. The tension was rising because his kidneys were failing and if he didn't get any better, the plan was to put him on an assisted heart pumping system. Twenty-two hours later, a heart was found. Because of his enlarged heart, Craig's internal organs had already shifted, leaving an opening that could be filled with an adult-size heart. One week later, Craig was eating, walking, and talking. "Since his transplant, everything has seemed so much more beautiful," Tiffany says, "we're so thankful for all of Craig's miracles."

The Dearnaleys stayed at the RMH for almost a month, until they acquired an apartment where Craig could join them. "The Ronald McDonald House gave us a place to rest our bodies and minds; a place to meet others that are going through equally difficult times and share our troubles, worries, and triumphs; a place to call home while being away from our lives that we left so far behind," Michael says. If all continues to go smoothly for Craig, he will start high school and return back to learning Tae Kwon Do. More important than anything, Craig will be able to be with his parents, returning to the normal life they love spending with each other.

"Having my parents there, meant that I did not have to face this alone. My parents were there to help me with everyday tasks and to comfort me when things were very hard to deal with. They made me laugh when I wanted to cry," remembers Craig. Michael and Tiffany just want to let RMH of Charleston know that they appreciate their efforts, "Thank you for caring enough to help. Your efforts have helped remove many other worries so that we as parents can focus on our children when they need us the most."

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                                       "Life at the Ronald McDonald House is both trying and rewarding. Several years ago, a few days before Christmas, I found myself to be the only staff member working. The volunteer had taken time off to visit her family, and I had not tried to replace her, thinking it would be a quiet day. Wrong! The phone rang off the hook, families were checking out, new families were coming in, and, to top it off, we received a large truckload of much-needed items from our wish list.

I had Christmas dinner to prepare for; it was already past quitting time, and the kitchen was stacked with bags of canned goods to be put away. I was feeling sorry for myself. "I went to graduate school for this?" "All of my friends are home with their families." "This was not in my job description." - These are a few of the thoughts that were going through my head as I emptied bag after bag of groceries into our cupboards.

I was having such a good time nursing my wounds and slamming around in the kitchen, that I hardly noticed Abby coming up behind me. "Can I help?" There was no way out, I had to let Abby help. No one could turn down a smile like that, even if it meant taking longer to put up the groceries.

Abby set to work, organizing a mini assembly line. She was very serious about her work. All of the beans were put together, all of the corn in rows. She found just the right spot for each can. I had to admit that I was beginning to enjoy putting away canned goods. Suddenly, Abby stopped working, and smiled up at me. "This is the best day of my life!" she declared.

I was speechless. Abby was away from home at Christmas time. She had lost all of her hair. She has had to endure one medical procedure after another year after year. She should be home singing carols, baking cookies, and wondering what Santa will bring. Yet here she was, in the Ronald McDonald House kitchen, away from home, every day of her life a struggle.

I was stunned. All I could say was "Why, Abby? Why is this the best day?"

Abby's little face just beamed up at me. "Cause I got to help."

Many hugs and tears later, I choked out, "Me too, Abby. Me, too."

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Hazel and Susan Robinson, Cory's parents are deeply grateful for this miracle gift to Cory. They know that this donor heart represents the loss of hope for another set of parents who made the difficult decision to give life to Cory. They know how much love went into this decision.

The Robinson's have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House since mid October. They are no strangers to our House, having stayed more than 140 days over the 17 years that Cory has had repeated problems with his heart.

"Waiting for a transplant is of the most difficult things a parent can do," said Hazel. Each time the phone rang, it could be good news of a heart for Corey. It could be a deadly blood clot, or an infection. For Hazel, talking to the other families has made the wait a little easier to bear. "The support from everyone here makes a difference. Everyone sharing their problems helps you get through."

Susan is a nurse. Seeing her child fighting for his life hooked up to the ECMO and heavily sedated was difficult. Back at the Ronald McDonald House in the evenings, Susan put all of her memories in a scrapbook, recording each moment, wondering whether Cory will ever look at this book with her. Now that Cory has a new heart she has hope she and Cory will enjoy showing the scrapbook to her grandchildren.

Cory still has a long way to go. His body has to accept the heart. He will have to be weaned from the respirator and off the medications. Then he will have to learn to walk again after months lying in a hospital bed. But Cory is a fighter, he has fought to live this long with a heart that could have failed years ago. And he has hope that his new heart, this gift of life and love will give him a future. Merry Christmas, Cory.

Read a letter from Hazel Robinson to the Ronald McDonald House:

Today, April 27th my wife Susan and I brought Cory back to Charleston for his11th heart biopsy, which went well. Cory is gaining his weight back, he's exercising and getting stronger everyday. Today he walked into the Ronald McDonald House for the first time and met the staff who was very excited to see him. He even had a snack while he was here. Cory is continuing his school work at home and his friends stop by to see him. A home health nurse comes by the house to help with lab work and to check his vital signs.

It was great to come by the Ronald McDonald House and see the new addition of 13 more family rooms. So many people need these rooms because hotel rooms are too high to stay in as long as we did with Cory for 4 months. We wish to thank all of the good people and sponsors that help support the Ronald McDonald House and the families that are of need of this wonderful place.

Best Wishes Forever,

Hazel Robinson

Susan, Kevin and CORY

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Emily was 4 years old when she walked into our House and into our hearts. She had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Emily with her beautiful red hair, bright eyes, and smiling face, did not look like a child with a serious illness. It was only the worried look on her parent's faces that gave any indication of the long road ahead.

Emily's mother, Kelly, was in her ninth month of pregnancy when they began their trips to Charleston. It was not long before she had to remain at home, waiting for the baby to be born.

Emily's father, Allan, brought Emily to Charleston for her treatments. It must have been very difficult for Allan to have his wife back home in Aynor waiting for labor, while he was miles away, tending a sick child. But, as one or our staff members remarked, Allan "not only stepped up to the plate, he hit a homerun." Allan played with Emily, read her books, and kept her busy and happy.

It was difficult for Emily when she began to loose her beautiful red hair. One Monday, they returned from a weekend visit, and Allan's head was as shiny as Emily's. He had gotten his hair cut off. No fancy  "do" could be as beautiful as these two bald heads. One represented the healing process of life-saving treatment; the other represented the love of a father who would take every needle stick for his daughter, if he could.

After one weekend's visit home, Emily returned with pictures of "her" baby. She was so proud of her sister. The following week, the family was together again. Mom, dad, Emily, and her new baby sister Alexis, all came to stay at their "home away from home", the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston.

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September 4, 2002 was an ordinary day in the Parry household. I was eight months pregnant with our third son and on my way to my doctor's office for a routine appointment. While at the doctor's office, my blood pressure rose to a critical level. Serious concerns for my health and the life of our son suddenly surfaced. I was admitted to Beaufort Memorial Hospital where Nathan was born at 35 weeks and with a condition called PPHN, also known as Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn.

Unequipped to handle the critical care necessary to insure that Nathan would be given the best chances for survival, Nathan was moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Medical University of SC (MUSC). As soon as Nathan arrived at the MUSC, it was determined that he was going to require an extensive stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I was not allowed to accompany Nathan when he was flown by helicopter to Charleston because I was still recovering from a C-section. My heart filled with a hundred concerns. How could my husband and I manage to be with Nathan and somehow care for the needs of our other two children? Then one of my nurses told me about Charleston's Ronald McDonald House. I quickly dialed the phone number and was immediately welcomed by a loving voice.

But that is just the beginning of the story. The Ronald McDonald House provided me with a supportive environment not only through their competent and caring staff, but also by creating a space that allowed me to meet and talk with other parents who were going through similar experiences. Because the Charleston community supports this wonderful house, I was able to have peace of mind during my lengthy stay while my baby made his way into this world. I did not have to worry about where I would stay, nor did I have to worry about the financial burden associated with wanting to be by our son's bedside. I will always remain indebted to the staff and community of Charleston for making the Ronald McDonald House a home like no other.

Nathan is now an energetic, full-of-life, three year old. He enjoys swimming in his grandmother's pool, playing tackle with older brothers, and riding his big yellow bike around the neighborhood. His active behavior often times reminds me of the character "Dennis the Menace." His bellowing laughter and contagious smile make it hard for Steve and I to reprimand his sometimes-mischievous ways. Many times his hugs and kisses, and the frequent saying of the words "I love you," melt our hearts. Nathan, along with his older brothers Aaron and Evan, makes our family circle complete. Yet inside this precious circle there is one other very special spot, and that spot is for the Ronald McDonald House. A supportive environment, a loving touch, and a safe place o go in time of need represents exactly what this wonderful house brought to me and continues to bring to families who are faced with caring for a critically ill child.

Aimee Parry

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