"Fighting for her life”: Olive’s story

Baby Olive arrived prematurely in 2019, weighing a tiny one-and-a-half pounds. Facing the unexpected, her family had worries about how they would manage to stay close to Olive, as her 130-day hospital journey began.

In July 2019, our beautiful baby girl Olive Amélie entered our lives far too early. Born at just 25 weeks, she was unable to breathe for herself and was therefore ventilated for over a month. Getting Olive off the ventilator was a real struggle, meaning we had to resort to steroids; not something we ever wanted, due to the long lasting neurological and physiological effects that can occur as a result. The steroids worked but due to Olive’s underdeveloped lungs she required additional invasive respiratory support for a further three months. 

At such an early age, Olive had gone through many complications and fought through so much adversity. Her lungs collapsed, she was resuscitated multiple times, had many blood transfusions, countless scans and x-rays, and her veins were constantly collapsing due to the continuous need for cannulas. 

The life support Olive needed, left her with severe chronic lung disease, this left us wondering if she would ever breathe on her own; she also has osteopenia, leaving her bones extremely weak.

After Olive’s arrival there was definite worry on my mind; the uncertainty of what life would look like for my family knowing Olive would need constant care and treatment on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was unfathomable. At this point I was recovering on the maternity ward at St Mary’s Hospital Manchester and my partner Richard had been sleeping very uncomfortably wherever he could, whether that be hard hospital floors or cold nearby car parks.

We had never heard of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK but it wasn’t long until we were offered a bedroom at the Manchester House. We felt incredibly lucky to learn that there was somewhere close by we could stay.

The Manchester House quickly became our home; our family’s safe space. I can only describe the staff as angels sent from heaven; absolutely nothing was too much trouble for these wonderful people. 

When Olive was born, we already had two other children, Etta just one and Christian, aged 13. The House wasn’t just a place to stay, they welcomed our children with open arms. During our time at the house Etta celebrated her second birthday. The House accommodated 70 of our close friends and family for this occasion – this level of hospitality was just beyond words.

Bringing Olive home was a dream nobody would even talk about for a very long time, a subject people find very difficult to broach, but for this House it’s what they do daily with countless families, talking about the good but unfortunately a lot of the time and for a lot of families the devastatingly bad. They do this with such empathy and grace. Olive remained in hospital for 130 days and for a large chunk of this Ronald McDonald House was our home, they welcomed our family and closest friends with open arms and for that we will be eternally grateful. 

These people go to work to do their jobs daily but to others it’s so much more. This charity and the people who work there are beyond anything you could ever put into words; it is a place that unless you are unfortunate enough to need, you may not even realise who they are or the importance of their presence. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK is an independent charity; fundraising is key as they ask for nothing from their families, not a single penny. Sponsoring rooms is something that families can do to give back. 

Each and every time I entered our room the sponsorship plaque on the wall gave me hope that one day, I may well take my baby home, that there might just be a happy ever after. I thought about how I’d love nothing more than to have a plaque made for our little girl, to give strength and hope to another family with a child in hospital. In such testing and emotionally draining times hope is everything, hope is needed. 

Since leaving the House, we have been dedicated to raising vital funds for the Charity and we’re so proud to have raised over £16,000! This money can be used to support many other families have comfort in terribly difficult situations like ours. It is incredibly heartwarming to know that we have personally contributed to supporting families in devastating situations. 

From our family to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, we will forever be indebted to you. Thank you, our love for you runs deep.