The Ronald McDonald House became our home in August of 2020 for 242 days. Our daughter, Charlotte, was born 3 months premature in April of 2020, weighing 1 pound & 9 ounces. Due to her prematurity, her lungs were slow to develop. Charlotte was diagnosed with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). BPD is the name for lung issues that arise due to prematurity and being on a ventilator.

Charlotte spent the first 118 days of her life in the NICU at Miami Valley Hospital. At that time we were driving back and forth from Minster to Dayton every day to be with her. In August, her team of doctors suggested transferring her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Nationwide is one of the BEST hospitals for babies in the country with BPD. However, that meant driving even farther to be with Charlotte. Thankfully, the Ronald McDonald House is right across the street from Nationwide.

We knew our stay in Columbus wouldn’t be short; we were told to expect at least a 3-month stay. In September of 2020 we made the decision for Charlotte to get a tracheostomy and g-tube so her lungs could continue to grow and develop new tissue. This would also allow her to work on meeting milestones and come home. Charlotte made it home just days before her first birthday in April of 2021!

The Ronald McDonald House became our home away from home.

I stayed in Columbus for the duration of Charlotte’s stay, while Ben traveled back and forth, visiting on the weekends. Thankfully, he was able to work remotely in our room at the RMH, then spend evenings at the hospital with Charlotte and me.

The Ronald McDonald House provided stability and a safe place during the most stressful days of our lives. The staff became like family, cheering for us on big days and comforting us on stressful days.

We are so thankful for the Ronald McDonald House!

Charlotte is the great-niece of Lynn Baumer.

This is one of the reasons why donating  tabs is important to Ruese Insurance Group.