Happy Marvelous Monday! Today, we're writing about a mom of two former RMH students. Our school serves both patients and their siblings. It's an amazing education model providing lots of emotional support, flexibility and compassion for students. Our school provides a sense of normalcy that's so important for children in crisis. In the 15 years our school has been serving families, there have been many times when patients and their sibling/s attend together. Students come to us with varying needs, but above all is their need to be with family.
Tesa, writes….
"My son, Dawson, attended school at the RMH during one of the toughest times of his life. Dawson has been treated for cancer and has endured two kidney transplants. He attended school at the RMH while going through dialysis – waiting for his "perfect kidney.” The wait started in July of 2005 and that amazing day came April 10, 2006. During the months of waiting, there were days when he was unable to even lift his head or he would just simply fall asleep right on his desk. However, Mrs. Britain just kept going with him…at his pace. It was difficult to know at times if Dawson had a learning disability or was just sick. Mrs. Britain was positive in her assessment that Dawson was learning what he needed to learn at that time. One of my favorite memories of Dawson’s time at school was during music class. Dawson loved music and one day, the students did a music parade through the Ronald McDonald House, stopping to serenade the staff and families. The music class was on his day off of dialysis which meant he was full of waste and wasn't feeling well. However, when it was music time, he was at the front of the line, pounding on those drums like it was his very own band. He was elated for those 15 minutes. Parents stood and cheered and I got to watch him just be a little boy. The school provided us an opportunity for Dawson to be that normal kid – even when he wasn't feeling his best. We can't thank you enough for that. School was hard, but you made it easy…you made it real."
"My daughter, Dana, also attended the RMH school. Dana's needs were different from my son’s needs. She was a freshman in high school during Dawson's treatment. As a parent, to hear the word "cancer" changes your life in an instant and your normal life seems very distant. As much as you want to make things better, you can't. Dana was having a tough time coming and going from our home to our home-away-from-home at the RMH. Being away from Dawson was difficult and then of course, being powerless to what her brother was going through. We saw things changing for her that January and knew the best place for her was with us at the RMH. Mrs. Britain helped us make it happen. Dana was able to follow her curriculum from home which is just amazing. My favorite memories of Dana in school were seeing her work with other siblings of patients. She instantly became an honorary older sister to her classmates. She would complete her work and was able to focus. The school staff knew when Dana needed to be with us at the hospital and were so flexible in making that time happen. Dana grew up a lot that year and Mrs. Britain and others from the school were there to help her grow and cope with all that was happening in our family. Dana is now in college and I think she remembers her life at RMH as the most positive experience in her life. God brings people and places into our lives and they leave the largest imprints on our hearts."
"What I remember most from my children’s time at the RMH school is that imprint of education with CARE! I experienced having a child who was ill attending school as well as his sibling. If asked if the school is the biggest asset of the house? Of course I'd say YES! What it provided for my family and our life during that difficult time was wonderful, but perhaps more importantly, it provided us a lifetime of memories and gratitude."
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| Dawson and his big sister, Dana, were able to attend school together at the RMH. |
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