We found out we were pregnant with twins on Christmas Eve. I will never forget the day our doctor said we had two heartbeats. Our entire family bawled as this was the best Christmas present ever!
Our journey would take a turn during my 30-week appointment. I had no idea I was in labor, but the boys were coming. As an emergency C-section. Arthur and Henry were born on June 30, 2010 and were immediately taken to the NICU. That night I got to see them—the emotion of "I am actually a mom," still resonates with me today.
As we all began to recover, we were told the boys were going to be staying in NICU for a long time. The nurse then set us up on the list for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston (RMHC Charleston). We had heard of it before, but honestly had no idea what it was.
Finding a Place Like Home
We went to RMHC Charleston and got checked in. Everyone was so nice, and we were amazed at how it worked: Here was a place like home that feeds you, gives you shelter and supports you. It was also a blessing to be around other people because my husband had to go back to work, and I stayed mostly by myself.
One day I was introduced to the Jordan family from Myrtle Beach who also had twins. The mom was also staying alone at the RMHC Charleston and we slowly became great friends. We shared stories, thoughts and fears, sitting on the balcony of our home-away-from-home.
In the eight years since our first stay, we've stayed at RMHC Charleston several times when the twins have had surgeries. And this year the Dionisio and Jordan kids did a "Gardy Raiser," an idea of their own, and filled two vans up with wish list items!
We can't express how much the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston means to us. It is more than a house, it's a home. And it's the people inside the house, from families staying there to the people in charge, that makes it a home.
You can help provide the resources needed to help families like the Dionisios live comfortably when in need. Contact Alix Tew at alix@rmhcharleston.org or 843-723-7957 Ext. 303 to learn how.