21 Feb Our Second Home

Siblings Logan and Summer are inseparable.  “Logan needs her,” their mom Linda says, “Summer has been by his side since his first visit.  She helps him relax and feel more at ease.”

The Weaver family has been coming to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware for 9 years.  As a toddler, Logan started appointments at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, eventually receiving a diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease.

When the Weaver family first started seeing Logan’s doctors, they were confused and nervous, without a diagnosis. “We had been to the Ronald McDonald Family Room, which is where we found out about the House. The House was a lifesaver; I couldn’t afford the gas to drive three hours each way for all of his appointments. Staying here allowed us to be close… without that, Logan wouldn’t be able to receive the treatment or care he’s getting now.  We probably still wouldn’t know what was wrong with him.”

Logan’s condition has led to many resulting illnesses and complications.  Currently, he is part of CORP (Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Program) and is a “frequent flyer” at the House, traveling to Wilmington almost weekly for therapy.

Although traveling long distances for frequent appointments is stressful, the family finds a place of respite and support whenever they stay at the House. “My support is here,” says Linda, “My [biological] family is all in Georgia and Florida; so when the doctors and nurses ask who I have for support, I tell them that my ‘family’ is across the street: the Ronald McDonald House.  We’ve gotten advice, support, and people to just talk to- the other families, staff, and volunteers.”

Logan and Summer enjoy staying at the House and have always called it their “second home.” Their favorite part of staying here is the Treasure Chest, where they each get to pick out a toy to take home.  When we asked the kids if they had a favorite memory of the House, Logan found it hard to choose and told us “there are loads of good memories.  I really like the game nights!”

Logan continues to grow stronger every day through CORP and the family is looking forward to the future, hoping that a cure for Mitochondrial Disease is found.