This winter, my stepdaughter had to be hospitalized for what was estimated to be a 6-9 week stay at a University Hospital in New Jersey (4-5 hours away from our home in State College, PA).
This turned our family upside down. I had to move my wife Kristi to New Jersey on two days’ notice. We weren’t sure how much insurance would cover, so our tiny savings account was already threatened before we looked at the cost of housing. Staying in a hotel would cost over $100 a day — up to $10,000 for 3 months.
Fortunately my wife knows family support systems well. She found us a spot at the Ronald McDonald house in New Brunswick, NJ. Because I’ve rarely been destitute, I had this vision of a ghetto halfway house apartment like those I’ve seen on TV.
“They were so nice, they made me cry,” Kristi said after talking to them over the phone.
When we arrived on that dark and cold night, the truth was much warmer and inviting than that. The room here is spacious, well furnished and well decorated. It’s more like a hotel suite. The building is nestled amongst major hospitals and Rutgers University buildings — not in a bad part of town. Here’s a picture during a better time (Summer):
Before we were even done unloading all of our luggage, I told Kristi that I felt guilty for staying there. I know we didn’t have any other choice but I felt like we weren’t destitute enough to qualify for this type of charity. It turns out that Ronald McDonald housing is made for families just like us, who are temporarily relocating to care for their kids, and only requests a donation of $10 per night. It was a steal and the staff showered us with gifts.
This particular house contains five other families with children in local hospitals. These people are literally from all over the world, as various disorders attract them to the New Jersey / New York City area for the best care. The Ronald McDonald house slogan is “The House that Love Built” and it couldn’t be closer to the truth.
As Kristi pointed out, you’d think that a RMD house would be bustling with activity and kids, and although it is kid friendly, it’s very quiet most of the time. You see other parents who are as tired and downtrodden as you, because the kids aren’t here, they are in the hospital.