Family Stories

When Zayden was born early at 29 weeks, weighing 2 pounds, it was mid-November 2020 and his family was facing a daunting holiday season. His mom, Juanakee, needed care herself and was stressed by the idea of having to drive 2 hours each way from Demopolis to Birmingham to hold, feed and love on Zayden while…

Jacob and Ashleigh Livingston have called the Ronald McDonald House their home for the last 82 nights, following the premature birth of their daughter, Harper. Harper made her entrance at just 23 weeks gestation which is stressful for any family. Added to this ever-changing situation, her parents found themselves 2 hours away from home and…

Jenelyn and John C. of Decatur, Ala. were overjoyed when they found out Jenelyn was pregnant. Jenelyn says everything was going well in her first trimester, with no serious nausea or discomfort. Then the couple received some shocking news at a regular ultrasound appointment. Doctors told Jenelyn and John that their little girl wasn’t developing…

We’re Blake and Jessica Sanders, and this is our family’s RMHC story! On August 29, 2015, I was rushed from Dothan to Birmingham due to preeclampsia. I was taken back for an emergency c-section and our first baby, Michael Tripp, was born weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces and was 15 inches long. He was immediately…

When Za’Kelby Langham, 17, woke up the morning of Nov. 1, 2019 he probably thought it would just be a normal Friday. However, by the time he got off the school bus in the afternoon, he felt terrible and his lips were turning a frightening color. His mother, Lillie, has CPR training through her 17…

Ayden’s family didn’t know what they were going to do when they found out that he needed treatment in Birmingham. Living an hour away, they knew that constant commuting to and from treatment could get overwhelming. The Ronald McDonald House has served them as a space where they can be close to their loved ones…

Before 6-week-old Braxton was even born, his mom knew that he had a serious heart condition. Thankfully, Braxton was born full-term, just before Christmas and his mother Jennifer and grandmother Jerri were able to be at the Ronald McDonald House during his first days of life. The family went home to Mobile just after Christmas…

Ava is just a normal 5th grader who loves to ride horses and do anything outdoors. When her leg was sore one day, the thinking was that it could just be from playing too hard or riding horseback. When her leg started to get worse, they knew it was time to see a doctor. The doctor…

Emma Kate made her entrance into this world in August of 2012, three months before her due date and weighing 15 ounces. Her family says she is a miracle because she’s now 7-years-old and has made amazing strides! When she was born, doctors were most concerned about the development of her lungs and heart. Emma…

The Ronald McDonald House made our Christmas special during one of the hardest seasons of our lives. I never imagined that our first Christmas as a family of five would be spent hours away from home. I also never imagined that two weeks after bringing Annalise home, our newly adopted baby girl would be fighting…

Esha’s little boy, Deon, was born early. In fact, he was born 23 weeks early, weighing 1 pound and 5 ounces at birth. Esha is mom to Deon and his big brother, Quinlavan Jr. “I was scared because Quinlavan wasn’t a preemie,” says Esha. “I prayed, Lord, is he alright? I had to stay calm…

The Ronald McDonald House is more than four walls and a roof. It’s a common phrase at the House that the families know so well. An important part of RMHCA’s mission is to make sure families have the support network they need on their child’s medical journey. So it’s wonderful to see parents like Trish…

Baby Gracie was born at 26 weeks weighing 2 pounds and 4 ounces. “She always has her eyes open,” proud mom Ambrosha shares. “She has fire.” Ambrosha’s family is no stranger to preemie babies. “[My mom] went through the same thing with me, as a 26 weeker,” Ambrosha says. Gracie was born on August 24…