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RMHC Celebrates Mom

We recently caught up with three special RMHC Moms. We asked them to share some of their healing touches and words of advice for other mothers facing challenges in their children’s health.

Ruth Wilcox is the mother of India Wilcox, who at five years old was diagnosed with cancer. The Wilcox family moved into the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House so India could get the treatments she needed. India never gave up and was declared completely cancer-free a year after her final treatment.

Ruth says, “India is doing great now. Today, she is the strongest second grader because of what she had to persevere through. She lost all her hair when she went through chemo-therapy, but today her hair is longer than mine!”

Is there a special remedy you used to help India get better?

Most importantly, I kept telling her that everything was going to be alright, which took away some of her fear. My mom always reinforced to me that everything was going to be okay, and that made me feel better. When my mother said it, I believed her and no matter what the doctor said, I knew things were going to turn around.

Do you have any advice for other mothers who are facing challenges in their child’s health?

When you hear a scary word like ‘cancer’ you think that’s it – it’s over – but you should have faith that things will be okay. Try to find your smile and put it on your face. What is happening is largely out of your control - have faith that things will be okay.

 

Joy Gonzalez is the mother of quintuplets who had major complications at birth. Joy and her family stayed at three Ronald McDonald Houses after the quintuplets were born, enabling her family to stay together during a scary period of time. Eventually, all the babies got to go home together.

The quintuplets just turned three and are happy and healthy. The Gonzalez’s recently moved to Mexico City and the whole family made the transition very well. Joy continues to be thankful every day for the network of Ronald McDonald Houses. 

Is there a special remedy you use to help your kids get better?

The best medicine is lots of love from Mommy and Poppy. My mother taught me this well as she always made me feel very loved. She had a limitless supply of caring support and just having that support by your side when you’re sick makes all the difference. 

Do you have any advice for other mothers who are facing challenges in their child’s health?

Look at the bigger picture - your children and family in your life, right now. Love your children every hour of every day. Don’t ever feel guilty for what happened – it’s not your fault. As hard as it is, get some rest and connect with your spouse, friends, and other moms at the House for support. It’ll be okay.

 

Margaret Ciacciarelli and her family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis when her son Max was diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome at ten months. The House program gave her family the ability to focus all their time and energy on their son as he fought his battle. Max lost his battle, but the Ciacciarellis found ways to honor Max and find happiness. 

Margaret says, “Today, our family is doing great.  After Max died, I spent a lot of time volunteering – I became addicted.  Now I am taking that passion and going back to graduate school to be a school librarian.  I still volunteer at Grace’s school in the library, but now I am going to make a career out of it!”

Is there a special remedy you use to help your kids get better?

We have an Afghan that my grandmother made and my sister gave it to me after my son died.   We call it the ‘magic blanket’ and I give it to my daughter Grace when she is feeling sick.  Somehow, it makes her feel a little better. My mom taught me that snuggling helps too!

Do you have any advice for other mothers who are facing challenges in their child’s health?

I know it is hard to imagine, but things will be okay.  After Max died, a Mom at the Ronald McDonald House told me that happiness would come again.  I couldn’t imagine it.  We miss Max everyday and there are times that are hard throughout the year, but life is still okay and we can experience happiness again.

Also, a nurse in the hospital once told me that you never lose hope, but you change what you hope for.  At first we hoped that Max would get better and then we hoped that he would be comfortable.  You never have to lose hope.

"Also, a nurse in the hospital once told me that you never lose hope, but you change what you hope for.  At first we hoped that Max would get better and then we hoped that he would be comfortable.  You never have to lose hope."

Margaret Ciacciarelli

 


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