RMH

Tatiana’s parents were one of the first families staying at the House to use the newly opened Ronald McDonald House Toronto Family Room at The Hospital for Sick Children. Tatiana and her parents are now back in Bermuda, where she is continuing to grow and strengthen.

Tatiana’s parents fear their experience in Toronto would have been terrible without Ronald McDonald House Toronto.

The two-month-old was born prematurely in Bermuda on July 6 at 26 weeks and 4 days and was medically evacuated with her father to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). 

“Within a matter nine hours, our lives had completely changed” says Tatiana’s mom, Mandisa. “It was scary because things were moving quite quickly. I remained in Bermuda, a brand new mom, recovering from giving birth, but with no daughter.” 

Once Tatiana was settled into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SickKids, her father Torrey learned about and moved into Ronald McDonald House Toronto, awaiting Mandisa’s arrival. “When I arrived, I saw him standing outside of the House, I looked up and I thought, ‘OK, this is home,’” she recalls. 

Both parents were struck by the homey feel of the House. “It felt like a hotel, but thoughtfully done. The colours that are used, the furniture, the pictures on the wall, everything gives you that feeling of a family home,” says Mandisa. 

One week after the family’s arrival in Toronto, the Ronald McDonald House Toronto Family Room at The Hospital for Sick Children opened and Tatiana’s parents were able to take advantage of the services there as well.

Mandisa was a fan of the Family Room’s state-of-the-art Rest and Respite area. 

“I could take a nap for 45 minutes to an hour, in a beautiful recliner in a nice dim and inviting room. Then I felt rejuvenated and all I had was a two-minute walk to go back to my daughter’s room. I felt like I had a break." Torrey compared his experiences caring for Tatiana before and after the Family Room opened. “When I wasn’t at the hospital, I felt like I was a bad dad because I wasn’t near our daughter.”  He loved being able to go to the Family Room for a few minutes while remaining in the hospital. “I felt like I was at home. I could lounge on the couch and watch TV, sleep or just relax and meditate. But I also met other families, learned their stories, gave and received encouragement.”  

As new parents of a premature baby, one of the lessons Tatiana’s parents learned at the House was to take care of themselves too.

“We received tickets to go to the museum and one night we even got a free movie pass and that was great. At first it felt so wrong, but we had the chance to deflate, reflect and enjoy each other’s company. And you know what? That gave us strength for the next day.”

Her parents also enjoyed the Home for Dinners, the evenings when volunteers come to the House to prepare a nutritious meal for all the families.

“We cried at the first one.  We were just so thankful because it took away that burden of having to cook. And, it helped financially,” says Torrey. 

“I’m grateful for people who have thought about patients and their families and what they need. This journey could have been that much worse, but as tough as it’s been, it’s been enjoyable. Having a home away from home has helped with that process.”

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