Guest Experiences
Family Draws Strength from Volunteers
The Reimold family from The Woodlands, Texas drew strength from volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House during their two-month stay in New Haven. Sarah Reimold shares part of her journal with us, describing the House as the safe haven she and her family needed during a difficult time.
On April 1, 2004 our 6-year-old son Austin was admitted to Yale- New Haven Children’s Hospital. We were scared, and feeling every emotion possible. We were far away from friends and family in Texas, and the seriousness of Austin’s disease was beginning to sink in. Even though we knew we had many friends and family supporting us, at the same time my husband and I felt so alone. I remember one of the first days when we were told of the severity of Austin’s neurological disorder, walking back to the Ronald McDonald House in the rain, in shock, feeling numb, crying uncontrollably. One of my first journal entries was on April 4, 2004...”I sit in a beautiful sunroom, staring out the many glass window panes taking in the surroundings. Outside there is a light drizzle, the trees are barren. Inside there’s a beautiful hand painted yellow dollhouse, coordinating yellow cushioned wicker furniture. For a fleeting moment it is serene, peaceful....... and then reality kicks in. Our six-year-old son had been admitted to Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and we are sitting in a Ronald McDonald House. The starkness outside is a constant reminder of the reality of our lives right now. Some days are better than others. No day is easy. The road here has been a long and hard one, but we are determined to stay hopeful.” The Ronald McDonald House proved to be the safe haven for us that we need in a time when everything seemed a bit surreal. Many days it seemed for every step forward we made in Austin’s progress, there were 10 steps back. The only constant was the Ronald McDonald House. Truly, all the volunteers made such a difference in our lives and they will never really know the everlasting impact they had. Meals that were cooked by volunteers, personal, heartfelt stories that were shared, and gifts for Austin but the greatest of all was the constant smile on the volunteers’ faces and the selfless giving.
The two months we spent at the Ronald McDonald House of CT were an incredible reminder to us of the absolute goodness in others. Everyone’s sincere generosity was overwhelming. While Austin was in the hospital, I picked up a book titled, “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger...Finding blessings in Times of Hardships.” No doubt, the Ronald McDonald House of CT and all its volunteers and staff was an incredible blessing in our lives, and always will be.
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