The Walsh Family

Emma Walsh spent 63 days as an inpatient in London Children’s Hospital after her family realized that her eating disorder was more than they could handle. As Emma recovered, her mom, Michelle, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in London, surrounded by other parents, caring staff and dedicated volunteers. Emma got to visit her mom at RMH and was able to relax outside of the hospital environment. She could even treat herself to “a real, private bath” in a room that felt close to home. After she was discharged from the hospital, Emma was encouraged to attend the hospital’s Eating Disorder Day Treatment Program so she could continue to learn and cope with her illness. It was an excellent program, but Emma would be unable to attend living in Sarnia. So Emma and Michelle stayed together at the Ronald McDonald House; their home away from home was close to the treatment Emma needed.

Emma’s Mom Michelle was very grateful, “The Day program has helped Emma make excellent progress in being able to develop coping skills to lead a productive, healthy life. We wouldn’t have been able to afford Emma being away [for the program] without Ronald McDonald House; with the House, I can be with her through her recovery process. We eat the House’s home-cooked meals together and it’s a good distraction to be surrounded by other families eating together. Emma would have been in a cycle of hospitalization, home, hospitalization, home, without the ability to do this day program.”