Holidays are supposed to be a time to get away from people's daily routine and just relax while celebrating the season with their families but some people had to spend their time at the hospital. The Ronald McDonald House organization then provided families with a home away from home to make them feel better.
WTOC.com reported that the Ronald McDonald House at Memorial Health housed this one couple who had twin babies who are not yet in stable condition. The mother of the twin babies, Harley Tatum, said that their babies were born on October 20. The babies, named as Jamison and Teegan, were born at 1 pound and 3 pounds respectively. Jamison is still in the NICU.
The Tatum family then had to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year at the community house. Harley said that she was very sad and angry the first time they were told that they would be spending the holidays at the community house.
She added that after she felt bitter, she just realized one "that if there's any place I'd rather be during the holidays - it's here. It's so warm here and welcoming." Harley noted that being at the Ronald McDonald House makes her feel like everything will soon be okay.
Harley also shared that she talked to other moms who were in the same situation as she was. Some of the mothers she once talked to have already gone home and now she is also talking to the other mothers who are feeling scared and anxious about the health of their children. Harley said that she wants to carry the tradition so she makes them feel they are not alone.
Another mother, Gabriella Luna, told WNEP that the Ronald McDonald House in Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania, has helped her a lot. She and her son, Damian, have also spent the holidays away from home. Her son has Short Bowel Syndrome and his intestines were outside his body. They live in York County and have been living at the Ronald McDonald House since the Geisinger Medical Center is just across the charitable home.
The Ronald McDonald homes provide temporary housing to families of sick children for little to no charge. The house in the Mahoning Township can accommodate around 56 people.
