The Kennedy Family
On April 25, 2011 our babies came at 27 weeks and 6 days. They had been growth restricted in utero due to preeclampsia. That was a very scary day. Chad received the call a couple of days later that a room had opened up at the Ronald McDonald House© for our family. I didn’t want him to leave me, but we didn’t want to miss the chance on our room. When I was discharged, I was pretty scared to leave the hospital because even though we only moved across the street, it felt like we were too far away from our sweet Piper and Cooper.
We were too worried about the babies to worry about ourselves, but the staff at the House made sure we did take care of ourselves. I have never witnessed so much care and love for strangers than we did while we were there. The staff and volunteers took care of us and the house. People came all the time to donate wish list items and money and every night someone volunteered to cook meals for us and the other families. It was and is truly amazing. I can only hope that I show that much love and compassion to someone else.
Piper came home when she was two months old, but Cooper faced a few setbacks and required a couple of surgeries along with regular medical attention, so he had to stay in the hospital. Chad stayed at the Ronald McDonald House© and I went home with Piper. Finally after two and a half months, Cooper came home! They will be a year old soon and are doing very well. Cooper has come completely off of oxygen and is now taking the bottle a little. They are our joy. During our four and half months you all have become our extended family and we love you. Thank you for helping us through our most trying time.
