RMH

My autistic son used to be my biggest concern. Not anymore. All of that changed suddenly for my family a few months ago. It came out of nowhere. My 11-year-old daughter Connie began complaining of pain in her knees. She went from an athletic, artistic, happy girl to a child suffering with every breath.

I began doing research on the internet about her symptoms. When doctors diagnosed leukemia my wife, two older sons and I were completely devastated. How could this happen to our family? We were new to Canada and only supposed to be here for a short time while I worked as university researcher. 

Connie had so many terrible side-effects from the chemotherapy. She struggled so much. They took out her appendix, then her colon, before telling us she needed a bone marrow transplant. We knew it would be difficult to find a donor match because of our mixed Latin background. When they made a 10 centimetre incision in her stomach she told us, “I want to get out of my body. I want to die.”

We spent months at a hospital near our home in Kingston where we slept on the floor and did 24-hour shifts to be with Connie. It was crazy. Then she was transferred to Toronto. The social worker told us about Ronald McDonald House Toronto. If we didn’t’ get into the House, I would have had to ask the university to borrow money. There was no other choice.

Ronald McDonald House Toronto is incredible --- so close to the hospital and such a clean, pristine environment. It’s like your own house in many respects. The library allows me to continue with my research papers. We got into an apartment which is so comfortable and we can cook in our own kitchen.  

My wife is a very sensitive person. She told me if Connie dies, she was going to die. If I didn't have my wife and my other kids, it would be a disaster. What gave me strength was to be with the family. This is key. It’s so important that the House understands how important it is for all of us to be together during a crisis like this. Our strength and courage has come from each other. 

We will always remain grateful for the House.

Thank you,

Connie’s Dad