“When our world came crashing down on us, we really needed a home base to keep all of our family together when we were all being torn apart.” Debra Mavin is as honest and open as she can be, detailing the day in October 2023 when her family’s lives changed.
An automobile accident sent her partner Taylor to one hospital in critical condition and her eldest child Dalton to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, also in life-threatening condition. The family was experiencing multiple medical situations at multiple locations.
They were a province away from home and needed somewhere they could all be together and safe.
Members of the medical team put in the request for the family to stay at the House, letting Debra know that usually there is a waiting list and she would need to make additional preparations in case a room wasn’t available.
Luckily, Debra received the call to say there was a room ready for them.
When our world came crashing down on us, we really needed a home base to keep all of our family together when we were all being torn apart.
Debra’s youngest three were not admitted to the hospital, and they, along with their grandparents, were the first ones who went over to the Ronald McDonald House to get out of the hospital and more settled. Debra stayed by her eldest son’s side all day and night. When she finally got to the Ronald McDonald House for the first time, the kids were so excited to show her around. They gave her a tour, showed her the ropes at mealtime, and chatted with other families, and Debra could see that they had made themselves at home.
She remembers thinking in the first few critical days about what recovery would look like, how would they stay together, where would they sleep, and very much longing for the warmth of a home-cooked meal. As she was able to understand what it meant to be at RMHC Alberta, she realized that the support provided there covered everything. They always had a warm meal every night. This became especially important on the days that felt like nightmares, and Debra would remind herself that although this is hard right now – tonight we will sit down together and have a meal and get through it.
By the time her son Dalton was able to join Debra for visits to the House it was feeling so much like home.
Debra shares that when you talk to people outside of this environment – people tend to look at you like you’re broken, which she understands, but inside the Ronald McDonald House, people look at you with love and care, and they get it. It’s different being around other people who are going through a similar journey. Even if they are all different traumas, there is a common understanding.
The family became very close with many other families, including visiting with them when they made it back to their home province.
