Reducing Burdens

“There was obviously a lot of worry about her health – that was number one,” remembers Dustin about those early days. “Before we knew that Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon was an option, we were doing the mental math of how we would run back and forth between a hotel and the hospital, how we were going to eat or sleep. Plus, we wanted to stay by Grace’s side at all times, as they allowed one parent to stay overnight at the hospital.”

They were relieved to find out that staying at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon could remove all of these logistical worries while they were already so worried about Grace’s surgeries – giving them food, sleep, and a place where the family could always be just a few steps away from each other.

More than a Meal

While Grace recovered from her first surgery, Dustin and Michelle remember living on takeout and eating in the car – when they could. When they checked into Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, the support provided through the kitchens and Family Meals program went far beyond the (delicious) food.

“Being able to have a family meal sitting at the same table together, being able to get groceries and have healthy food – it was good to have that sense of normalcy, of having a routine,” says Michelle. Dustin agrees. “In these situations, routine is the only thing helping you keep it together: getting up, making breakfast, sitting with Grace in a high chair, and these little routines from home wouldn’t be possible in a hotel.”

Comfort and Community

The House helped Michelle and Dustin to live with stress and find connection during times when they felt powerless. The fitness centre at the House was a source of comfort during Grace’s long surgeries, when rather than sitting in the hospital waiting room for 6 hours, they could work out in the gym.

The Arts and Crafts room also helped them prepare for Grace’s recovery: “We knew Grace would need to stay in the PICU after her surgery, so they gave us the keys to the Art Room so we could make some art to decorate her room,” remembers Michelle.

They could reduce feelings of isolation by talking to other parents: “You start to meet people who have kids with complex health problems, you start to realize how common it is, and you feel less isolated in what you’re going through,” says Dustin.

Looking Forward

Now at home, her parents are happy to report that Grace is a full-on toddler and they embraced the ‘terrible twos’ with joy. Grace loves her toys and books, as well as all kinds of music, art, and dancing. She also loves playing with her puppy – and giving him doctors’ checkups!

She may also need more surgeries throughout her youth, and knowing that Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon will be their home away from home in the years to come takes a lot of the stress away for Michelle and Dustin.

The Dunlops are determined to spread the word about how the House offers more than just a place to stay during difficult times. “When you think about a child that’s going through health challenges – it’s not just the kid, it’s their siblings, their parents, their extended family, everyone’s going through a really hard time. Here, you feel at home, really taken care of, and Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon is a really positive place. It was life-changing for us,” says Dustin.