04/28/2025
Growing up Ronald McDonald was just goofy mascot for the place with the ball pit and happy meals, or in Haley's case, a terrifying nightmare(fear of clowns). Since Liam's accident, Ronald has become a representation of hope, love and our second home and extended family.
When I first walked through the doors of Ronald McDonald it was a cold December day and I had walked from Johns Hopkins. I remember the walk there through the streets of Baltimore, wondering what it would be like; thinking since it was affiliated with McDonald's and it was free it must be dollar menu accomodations. It was the first time I had left Liam's side and I was terrified of what may happen while I was gone and frustrated I had to leave his side to check in knowing I was missing one of his first therapy sessions. What a surprise when I made it to the front door. What greeted me were warm smiles and greetings, huge trees with beautiful decorations, and piles of toys stacked neatly in this foyer; that compared to what I expected, looked the Ritz Carlton.
During the tour I found myself holding back tears watching the other dad in the group with his kids, wishing Liam could have been there with me and how cool he would've thought the playroom and game systems were. How he would've thought the giant Christmas tree with all its decorations was so amazing. How much fun he would've had picking his own toy and how much pressure I felt to pick the perfect gift that may bring my poor bedridden boy some joy. How excited he would've been to check the mailbox as there were donated toys already in there. How much fun he thought "transformer beds"(pull out couches) were at hotels and how he would squeal if he was there to see there was one he could sleep on. How he would want to be in charge of the key card. I remember sobbing when I finally got a minute alone in the room before returning to Hopkins, crying out to God asking why we even had to be in a position to need this place, but if we did why couldn't Liam be well enough to be there and enjoy it with us.
In about a month Liam was able to join us there and at times Jude was too. This place became a place of healing as our family unit was able to be made whole again. We were able to sit at a table together and eat hot home style meals prepared by loving volunteers surrounded by our new friends. We were able to welcome family to visit and play games and laugh. It was like a second home and it was honestly hard to leave when the time came. When we went back in January for Liams research therapy it was like coming home.
When Liam first came there and even when we left the first time he was confined to a wheelchair. Today, we had the absolute joy and pleasure of participating in the Red Shoe Shuffle 5K to support Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland. One of their tag lines is, "the house that love built." We felt it in our darkest days and we felt it just as much today watching Liam RUN through the streets of Baltimore getting cheered on an receiving high 5's from countless volunteers, supporters, baseball teams, rugby teams, etc. We can't say enough how much this place and mission have meant to our family. We can't thank God enough for the social worker who pushed us early on at Hopkins to take a room there while it was available, not knowing what our situation would be or how long we would be living in Baltimore. We can't thank God enough for all the people there who have ministered into our lives and we can only hope we've done the same for others in our time there.
Next time you're going through the drive thru at Mickey D's and they ask, "would you like to round up for Ronald McDonald House," please do it! And if anyone is up for a 5k, we'd love to take a huge group back with us next year. You won't regret the experience and you'll be helping to support this incredible house that love built!
