RMH

Thalia’s story began on December 5, 2012. Born premature at 33 weeks and weighing only 4 lbs. 12 ounces, she began her life in an incubator in the NICU at Credit Valley Hospital. Medical staff advised that she wouldn’t be ready to go home for at least six weeks, well into January. “Christmas is my favourite time of year – it’s so important to me. We weren’t going to be home for Christmas and the thought of spending it in hospital was devastating,” says Thalia’s mom.  

Living an hour away from the hospital, Thalia’s mom didn’t want to leave her little girl so she opted to stay at the hospital with her. “I was at the end of my tether – I felt so emotional and tired; I didn’t have my family – they are all in England and Spain.” The Ronald McDonald Family Room Coordinator at Credit Valley Hospital arranged for Thalia’s mom to have a sleeping room so that she could stay at the hospital around the clock and feed Thalia every three hours. “I really strongly believe that – because I really never left her side, other than for 2 or 3 hour naps – we actually got to go home the week before Christmas because of the Family Room.” 

When asked how Thalia is doing now, “she’s incredible – this beautiful little toddler, walking around the house, trying to mimic me – we are so happy.”

The experience has inspired Thalia’s parents to give something back to Ronald McDonald House Toronto. They are participating in Mud Hero on August 23, 2014, running for Team Thalia with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House Toronto. Mud Hero is mud obstacle race, and the Toronto event will take place at Albion Hills Conservation Area.

If you would like to sponsor Team Thalia, please click here.

More information about Mud Hero.