Skyla McNamara was born 10 weeks early at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Dutchess County, NY in July of 2022. Laura, Skyla’s mom, had gone in for a routine checkup and ended up being admitted to the hospital. Within an hour of being admitted, Laura gave birth to Skyla.
Skyla was immediately put on a ventilator to help progress her lung development. After three long days in the hospital, doctors recommended that Skyla be transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester County, NY where more advanced equipment was available.
When it felt as though things could not be more bleak, they received even worse news. Sweet baby Skyla had developed an infection that caused a brain bleed. Already overwhelmed, Laura and William, Skyla’s dad, were informed the situation had become more critical and that Skyla may not survive.
Living over 90 minutes from Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital added additional pressure to their situation. How were they going to be there for Skyla if they had to commute so far? That’s when someone told them about Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, which would become their home-away-from-home for the next 10 weeks.
“Those two and a half months were some of the most trying times of my life and I thank god for the Ronald McDonald House, who they are and what they do. We wouldn’t have made it without them. They were my people when my husband had to go back to work and it was just me. For two and a half months they held me up. I cannot thank them enough.”
After multiple surgeries, Skyla had a complete turnaround and in October the family finally got to go home together.
“We are so happy to be home together. Ronald McDonald House was our home in our time of need. They were family and they made you feel like family. They truly are amazing. Thank you isn’t enough.”
