We've all heard of the Ronald McDonald Charities and the amazing work they do, but how many of you have ACTUALLY seen it for yourself. When we found out that we had a room at the Ronald McDonald House Westmead, I knew that I wanted to document our stay and share it on the blog. Anyone can Google images and take a look inside, but you don't get to hear about how these houses help families like ours.
We had actually planned on staying in a hotel! A few weeks earlier, we were at a Bunnings fundraiser for Westmead's 'Bandaged Bear Appeal'. I had the pleasure of meeting an incredible mother who was working the fundraiser for her son who has Cystic Fibrosis and spends a lot of time at the Children's Hospital Westmead. I asked for a photo as I explained Carter's history and that we would be returning to Westmead in a few weeks. "Where are you staying?" She asked. "Oh, I'm staying on the ward with Carter, but the kids and my husband will stay in a hotel close by" "Stay at the Ronald McDonald House!! Really! It's so much cheaper and they're amazing there! It's right on the hospital grounds and they've just opened the new building."
I immediately went home and called them. I knew we would meet the criteria;
We had other children with us (they don't supply accommodation for only adults, the child having treatment must either be staying with you in the house, or they have siblings who are staying in the house).
We live more than 100km away from the hospital, deeming it pretty impractical to travel to and from the hospital in a single day.
It costs $60.00 (AUD) for one night. If you are staying for more than two nights, you would pay for the first two nights and then you can apply for the rest to be bulk billed through 'Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme' (or 'IPTAAS'). Which is what we did when we stayed at 'Hope Cottage' while Carter was a patient at Nepean Hospital's NICU.
A week later we found out that a room had opened up for us!
When we arrived, we were looked after by the most accommodating and kind hearted people! Once all the paper work was filled out and our payment was made, we got a tour of the entire building!
..and it was INCREDIBLE!!!
We had a Studio Style room with our own bathroom/toilet and large flat screen tv. The kitchen amenities had been kept to just the communal areas, so there was no microwave, fridge, kettle or kitchen sink - but there was an incredible communal kitchen, living area and patio on EVERY LEVEL!
Our room was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, tissues and fresh towels. The beds all made beautifully - as if we were staying in a hotel.
On each floor, the communal living and kitchen area had all the basic things you would need to be comfortable - coffee making facilities, a microwave for heating food or sterilising baby bottles etc and a bar fridge, as well as cutlery, cups, etc.
I love how bright and fresh this entire building is! There isn't a single hint of 'hospital' in this home away from home.
Right next door to the communal kitchen and living area, there is a laundry room with both washing machines and dryers which are all free to use - laundry powder provided!
There's also an iron, ironing board and laundry sinks.
I can't explain the importance of this room.
We spent almost four months in the hospital.
Four months of living in Hope Cottage.
Think about the amount of laundry you do in a week.
Now think about how difficult it would be if you were on unpaid leave from work so you could be with your family.. and you had to pay $3 for every load of laundry - that's how much it used to cost us. We were so grateful to have those facilities and have the ability to walk down the hall and do our laundry, but some weeks were harder to manage.
We were doing laundry every single day; a load of our stuff and a load of Carter's wraps, blankets and anything else that may have touched the floor, been spewed on, wee'd on, pooed on, or just had milk or meds sprayed on them. About $30 a week. That's a lot when you're unable to work!
The patio in the communal living area joined onto the laundry room.
The building also has an outdoor courtyard to hang laundry outside, if you have something that can't be put in the dryer, as well as a Health & Fitness Centre which has received an incredible contribution by Anytime Fitness Australia!
On the lower level of the building is where the big communal areas are; the large communal kitchen, play areas, library, living areas (complete with gaming consoles!), BBQ area and secure lockers for your own personal pantry items, fridge and freezer items!! It was incredible!! The Ronald McDonald House also have a communal pantry and fridges which are stocked with donations for families to help themselves to. As we walked around for our tour, the beautiful lady showing us around stopped to grab out some iced chocolates and iced coffees out of the communal fridge for us to take - she was truly wonderful!
The kitchen area is open to all families, with the exception for anyone under the age of 12. This is to ensure that everyone is kept safe and there are no accidents.
Child safety doors are installed around the kitchen area and there is a specially designed area for the little ones to play while you cook! There are also cameras installed so you can keep an eye on what your little one is doing!!
HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT?!
Each kitchen section has it's own stove, oven, microwave, sink, and all the cooking utensils you could need.
There is also a pancake machine.
Press the button.. pancakes come rollin' on out.. magic!
There's a number of dining sections to suit everyone. Bigger section, as pictured below. Quieter sections off to the side, if you're not feeling in the 'mingling mood', as we often were when Carter was at his worst.
There are also some beautiful dining sections scattered around outside, both close to the playground and with a little distance, if you're looking for a bit of quiet.. they've really thought of everything!
I loved the library. It was in a beautifully lit section of the building, with comfortable reclining chairs and it was just so incredibly peaceful!
Something I thought was truly incredible though.. The 'Jermyn Family Learning Centre'. When we arrived on Monday afternoon, there were students from the local high school helping children with their homework while they stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. Any of the children are welcome to spend time in the learning centre. We thought this was just an amazing addition to the building and the kids were so excited about it as well!!
The walk from the building to the hospital was literally a couple of minutes. Standing at the rear entrance of the hospital, you can see straight down the path to the Ronald McDonald House.
This entire facility was just absolutely incredible. It took a lot of people to put this building together and a lot of incredible sponsors! I wish I'd taken a photo of the huge 'Thank You' sign on the wall as each family passes through the lobby and enters the elevators. It's a sign that lists the wonderful sponsors who made it possible to build such an incredible oasis for the families who rely on the Ronald McDonald House Westmead to make their children feel like life isn't lost in the hospital. The people who make this place what it is.. our family have nothing but love for you! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for giving so selflessly.
As happy as it makes us to have Carter be so well these days, we didn't want to leave the Ronald McDonald House! It was like going on holiday.. to the hospital (which is EXACTLY what you want when your in that situation). This is an image of the old house across the road.
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