RMH

Heather Potts family spent almost four months at Ronald McDonald House Toronto in 2011, while her baby Evelyn received treatment for hypoplastic left heart syndrome and eventually a brand new heart.

Q: What did you know about Ronald McDonald House Toronto before arriving here?

A: My whole perception was of a bunch of people moping or one-upping each about their kids’ illnesses.  It wasn’t like that at all.  It was amazing.

Q: Describe your stay at the House?

A: I was there by myself.  My husband had to go back home to work.  Our baby was at the hospital.  Without the relationships I made during my time at Ronald McDonald House Toronto, I don’t think I would have made it.  It was special, it really was.

Q: In what ways did other families at the House help you?

A: We understood each other, the (medical) terminology and being able to understand what each other was going through. There is a certain amount of therapy that came from that, that I would not have expected.  It was so helpful.  It also gave me perspective. Maybe you had a bad day, but someone else had a worse day.