In February, little Travis spiked a fever and started having seizures. His parents, Amanda and Randy, rushed him to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and necrotizing encephalitis. At just four months old, those big words meant that his brain was in a lot of danger.
His family worried about him. They worried about their four older daughters who still needed someone to care for them at home. They worried about how they would pay for Travis’s care. But they didn’t worry about where they would stay – they knew they had the Ronald McDonald House.
His family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for three weeks the previous September, shortly after Travis was born prematurely. He needed extra care in the NICU before he could go home to the family’s ranch over an hour away in Marana.
“We felt like we were at home,” said Amanda. “They made sure we had everything we needed and gave us an extra room on the weekends so our daughters could come stay.” But the days turned into months and Amanda realized Travis would still be in the hospital for his first Easter.
“I was emotional and disappointed and stressed that we couldn’t spend Easter with all our friends and family,” said Amanda. “Even so, the Ronald McDonald House made it extremely special.”
Staff and volunteers spent days putting together a family-friendly Easter complete with an Easter egg hunt, Easter baskets full of goodies, arts and crafts and a traditional Easter dinner.
“I wasn’t disappointed or emotional anymore. My heart was full and they gave us wonderful memories for his first Easter.”
After nearly two months in the hospital, Travis was discharged, but he would be back for subsequent infections, check-ups and surgeries. His family has stayed at the House for a total of 151 nights on four different occasions (and counting). Through it all, Travis remains the same smiley and giggly baby he has always been.
“No family ever wants to have a child that is sick. It’s a struggle that few understand. But to have the community we have met and become a part of through the House is a blessing beyond measure.”
