09 Sep “Everyone is family here, everyone is a team”
The Fulginiti family has been coming to Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington since son CeJay was a week old. When CeJay turned four, the family realized through talking with their doctors, that they were able to utilize the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, which is conveniently located right across the street. This has been a huge benefit to the family since they travel two hours each week for treatment to help lengthen CeJay’s femur bones.
CeJay was born with congenital short femur, which caused his legs to not be the correct length. Despite all that he’s been through, CeJay is always in good spirits and keeps high expectations of himself. Hopefully by the time he turns fifteen, CeJay will be done with his femur lengthening process. In the future, CeJay wants to pursue a career in the army like his uncle. After the army, he wants to pursue a career working in the video game industry. Besides playing video games, CeJay’s favorite thing to do when he’s home is going salt water fishing with his family.
The family said their favorite parts of the House are the people, food, and comfortable beds. Parents Stephanie and Chad explained how close they have gotten to the other frequent families over the years. “This is one big family, and everyone helps each other out whether it be staff helping guests, guests helping staff, staff helping staff, or guests helping guests…everyone is one big team.” CeJay has made many great friends through staying at the House and sometimes they even have appointments at the same time. Although CeJay enjoys staying at the House, he said, “he can’t wait to go home and see his pet chinchilla Waffles and dog Chy-Chy.”
CeJay was selected by the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware to participate in the Talleyville Fire Company’s HEROES Program this summer. Every year a Ronald McDonald House of Delaware child is selected who exemplifies heroic characteristics. Because he was selected, CeJay received a real fire fighters helmet with his name on it, a hero plaque, a trip to the fire house in a fire truck, as well as lunch with the fire fighters! CeJay shows everyone that being a hero isn’t always about how strong or big you are, but rather how much heart you have.