When I was 12 weeks pregnant with my little Scarlet-Jean, I was told she would need serious medical attention as soon as she was born. That’s the moment our lives were flipped upside down.
At the time, my year-and-a-half-old daughter, Rosie, and I lived in the Yukon. But I was born and raised in Peace River, in the Tlingit Frog House, so I had family in Alberta, which convinced my doctors that Edmonton was where we needed to be.
When Scarlet was diagnosed with gastroschisis, everything changed. The moment she was born, with her intestines outside her tiny body, she was bundled up and taken to the operating room to start her medical journey.
Of course, I was anxious. When Rosie and I arrived at Ronald McDonald House, I kind of collapsed into the front desk volunteers’ arms. They didn’t just help; they cared. They really made us feel like family.
This place is special. It’s not just about the rooms or the meals. It’s about the people, the warmth, and the understanding. They reminded me that I was a human being and needed to take time for myself.
This place is special. It’s not just about the rooms or the meals. It’s about the people, the warmth, and the understanding. They reminded me that I was a human being and needed to take time for myself. Thanks to a generous donor, one of my best memories is going to an Oilers hockey game.
During our stay, I met parents from all walks of life, each with their own stories. We bonded over kitchen counters and late-night talks. That’s the thing about Ronald McDonald House; it brings medical families together, turning them into family. And when it was time to say goodbye, it was really tough—proof that deep connections are formed within those walls. I’m thrilled to report that Scarlet is two years old and doing incredibly well. Her body has recovered, and her intestines work beautifully.
Scarlet and Rosie’s favourite things to do are singing and dancing—mine too! Now that they’re in daycare, they’re busy learning Tlingit songs and drumming, and they’re loving it.
