Our daughter was born 10 weeks early at Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY back in July of 2022. I had gone for a routine checkup and ended up in the hospital, and we had our daughter within an hour. She needed to be on a vent to help with her lung development.

At 3 days old, they told us she needed a better machine and they wanted to transfer her to Westchester because they had more advanced equipment. We sat in that waiting room for what felt like forever and we had received the worst news possible. Our sweet baby ended up with an infection that was sepsis and caused a brain bleed. It was the worst feeling we ever felt when a few hours before she just needed a more defined machine to help her breathe.

We were told the way she was in that moment, they didn’t think she was going to make it. We live an hour and a half from the children’s hospital and I had no idea what we were going to do. I heard of Ronald McDonald and immediately applied that same night. By Monday I had a call that we could move in and I couldn’t be more grateful.

The next 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. I 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. Two and a half months they held me up. I cannot thank them enough.

Skyla did a complete 360 and while she was put through the ringer and had two surgeries at such a young age, she is a NICU warrior for sure. I’ve never met anyone as tough as her and we couldn’t be more blessed.

Miss Skyla was finally able to go home in October!! What a ride it was but we are so happy to be home. Ronald McDonald House was home, they were family and they made you feel like family. They truly are amazing. Thank you isn’t enough.

~ Laura McNamara