"A place to heal": Annabelle's story

When Joanne made the desperate decision to take her 13-year-old daughter Annabelle to Manchester by train, she knew they were running out of options. Their local services couldn’t help with Annabelle’s severe weight loss and dropping vital signs, complications of her autism-related eating difficulties. With dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate, Annabelle was immediately admitted to the ward, fitted with heart monitors and an NG feeding tube. For this family from Lytham St Annes, over two hours away, the emergency admission marked the beginning of a journey that would span 115 days and transform their lives.

The situation was particularly complex because Annabelle has a twin sister, Layla. With only one parent allowed to stay by Annabelle’s bedside, the family faced being torn apart at a time when they needed each other most.

Guest blogger: Joanne

The ward staff told us about Ronald McDonald House Manchester, but nothing could have prepared me for that first visit. I broke down in tears during the tour – the overwhelming relief of finding a place where our family could stay together was indescribable.

Our stay at Manchester House became so much more than just accommodation – it became the foundation of Annabelle’s recovery. The House offered us something invaluable that the hospital couldn’t: a kitchen. For a child with sensory issues who couldn’t eat hospital food, this was life-changing. I remember the first thing Annabelle wanted to try while still on her NG tube was a simple boiled egg. This wouldn’t have been possible in the small ward parent’s room with only a microwave, but in the House kitchen, we could create a safe, quiet environment for her to rebuild her relationship with food.

The timing was fortunate as it was summer holidays, allowing Layla to stay with us. The House didn’t just give us a place to sleep – it gave us a way to remain a family. We could explore Manchester together, and most importantly, the twins could eat together in the kitchen areas each day, which became a crucial part of Annabelle’s recovery journey.

Every week brought something special. The Wednesday summer parties, City in the Community events where Annabelle could feel like any other kid scoring football goals, the Pirate Party, Halloween celebrations, and even a McDonald’s birthday party. Finding a teddy bear from Build-a-Bear outside our door one day was just one of countless touching moments. The weekly brew and chat sessions became a lifeline, and the staff – they weren’t staff anymore, they were family. They checked on us every day, genuinely caring about our progress, nothing ever too much trouble.

After 115 days, Annabelle finally came off tube feeds. The House’s medical pass program proved invaluable – we used it daily, and still can for outpatient appointments, allowing Annabelle to eat lunch in familiar surroundings, away from overwhelming café smells or weather. Without the House’s kitchen space to shop for, cook, and eat food together, I’m certain Annabelle would still be tube-fed instead of enjoying three meals a day.

Leaving after nearly four months was emotional. The House had become our real home – even when I went home one night a week, it didn’t feel like home anymore. It took Annabelle several nights to adjust when we finally left. We missed the buzz and the friendly faces that had become such a part of our daily routine.

As we look back on our time at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, we realize it was so much more than just a bed. Without it, we would have been forced into a B&B we couldn’t afford long-term, meaning only one parent could stay. Layla would have only managed weekly visits, and we wouldn’t have had the kitchen that proved so crucial to Annabelle’s recovery. The House gave us the space and support to heal as a family.

To anyone considering supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities UK – whether through online donations, McDonald’s order machines, or events – please know that every contribution, no matter how small, helps create magic in often dark times. The House truly is more than just a bed – it’s a big warm hug when families need it most. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover what you’ve done for Annabelle and our family in bringing us back together at home.