Leigh’s pregnancy was difficult and labeled as high-risk from the start—hyperemesis gravidarum, gall bladder removal, multiple hospital admissions, countless IV fluids needed, unstable heart rates, the list goes on. However, her rainbow babies kept growing and were born at 35 weeks gestation. Twins Leo and Frankie were stable but needed time in the NICU to keep developing their lungs.
“Since we were high risk with twins, we were prepared for a NICU stay, but what we weren’t prepared for was to be discharged, unable to stay with the babies while they grew strong. Where were we supposed to go? Before we had any anxiety, our social worker swooped in and told us about the Ronald McDonald House.”
Leigh and Adam, like many parents, didn’t feel deserving of the Ronald McDonald House.
“We both turned it down originally, thinking we didn’t need it as badly as other people, and tried to figure out hotel plans. Thankfully, the hospital staff reassured us that it was there for us. Now, I can’t imagine our experience without the Ronald McDonald House.”
“I remember that on one of my first days at the House, I woke up and went to the hospital in my pajamas, exactly as I was. One of the NICU nurses made fun of me and told me to go back, shower, eat breakfast, and trust that they could take care of the babies. She said, ‘Go take care of yourself…that’s what the Ronald McDonald House is for.’ I realized that if we were not rested, we couldn’t fully engage in conversations with the medical team. The Ronald McDonald House allowed us to be rested and fed and ready.”
Knowing that I was so close to the hospital was a huge comfort. I could have been there in minutes if anything was wrong, which took away the guilt of being away from them. And the Wi-Fi at the House allowed me to watch the twins on AngelEye any time I felt nervous.”
Leigh, Adam, and their toddler Hollis got to call Ronald McDonald House their home for 14 nights. “We divided and conquered and implemented our home routine there—taking advantage of the play room, the outdoor spaces, the laundry machines, and the meals.
“Hollis turned 4 just a few days in to our stay at the House, and the staff put together the best celebration for him. He woke up to a decorated dining room and presents from the Charity. Then we got to invite our families to come visit and eat dinner and cake with us that evening. Hollis still asks us if he can have another birthday party at the “Ronald McDonald Hotel.” When so much of our attention was diverted to the twins, RMH made Hollis feel so special and welcomed.”
“Hollis calls it the “Ronald McDonald Hotel,” but it really felt like home to us.”
Leigh wants other moms to know that it is okay to ask for help and accept it when people offer.
“They had so many amenities—all the things your mom brain wants you to worry about were taken care of. I could actually focus on the babies. It was really eye-opening for me, as an independent person. I may not like to ask for help, but when I actually accepted it, it was life-changing.”
“It was so much more than what we could have imagined. We experienced an overwhelming feeling of love from people we didn’t even know. It’s something we can’t repay—we just try to live in the same way and find ways to give back.”
One of the best parts about their Ronald McDonald House experience was the camaraderie amongst other families.
“The Ronald McDonald House was like home, but with a bunch of other people in the same situation. It was so helpful to talk with other parents, share encouragements, smiles, and even be reminded how blessed you are. When we ran into other families, it was easy to start conversations because we were all in the same boat. Motherhood can feel lonely in nearly every aspect, so it was really nice to not feel alone at the Ronald McDonald House.”
Several services helped make the Niegsch family feel at home.
“As a new mom, if I’m not fed and nourished, I can’t be healthy and nurse my babies. Not having to be responsible for my meals during that stressful time was irreplaceable. It allowed me more time with my babies, and it gave us real, homecooked meals instead of the hospital food, fast food, or vending machines.”
“The courtyard at the House was my peaceful place. I could go and reset, eat, and feel fresh air. We could also let Hollis run around and be a kid without feeling like we were bothering any other families. It helped us feel normal.”
