"The House gave us something priceless": Frank’s story

Born eight weeks early at just 32 weeks, tiny Frank entered the world facing extraordinary challenges. A rare congenital disability affecting his oesophagus required multiple life-saving surgeries, turning Ronald McDonald House Tooting into a sanctuary for his anxious parents, Charlotte and Tayler. Through countless medical procedures, moments of heartbreak, and glimmers of hope, Frank’s remarkable six-month recovery journey has tested and strengthened his family beyond measure. Now, after half a year of hospital rooms and medical equipment, Charlotte and Tayler are finally preparing for a precious milestone many parents take for granted—bringing their baby home for the very first time.

We welcomed Frank into the world two months premature, due to a condition called oesophageal atresia, a rare birth defect that affects the oesophagus. From day one, he required multiple surgeries. His oesophagus wasn’t connected to his stomach, so he needed medical intervention to attach them. This process came with its own set of complications, which is why, six months later, we’re still navigating this journey together.

Since that July day, our little fighter has been through nine surgeries and countless smaller procedures. He’s battled sepsis, had six chest drains, suffered collapsed lungs, and spent two months hooked up to a ventilator. I still remember those first six weeks when we couldn’t even touch him; just imagine not being able to hold your newborn. Twice, doctors took us aside with that look on their faces, warning us he might not make it. But Frank has shown us what real strength looks like.

Without the Ronald McDonald House, I don’t know how we would’ve coped. We would’ve been driving a three-hour round-trip every single day. As a first-time mum already drowning in worry, being far from my baby was my worst nightmare. We said ‘no’ to a room in the House at first. We were in such a fog, and honestly, who thinks they’ll live in a hospital for half a year? After two months of exhausting commutes, when they offered again, we practically fell through the door with gratitude.

Before we moved in, there were scary moments, those middle-of-the-night phone calls telling us to rush back to the hospital. But everything changed once we started staying at the House. I went from holding Frank for just one hour each day to up to nine hours of cuddles. You can’t put a price on that time together. I’ve watched him grow stronger in my arms.

Having a place to call home nearby has been our lifeline. We eat proper meals now instead of grabbing whatever’s available. We can finally feel like a normal family, with cuddles whenever we want. The financial weight off our shoulders has been massive; there’s no way we could’ve afforded long-term lodging and all that travel.

Frank still has a few surgeries ahead, but we’re hoping to move back to our local hospital soon. Looking at him now, at six months old, it’s hard to believe how far he’s come. There were days I was afraid to hope, but he’s proving everyone wrong.

The House itself is such a warm, cosy place. They think of everything, right down to the toothbrushes. Getting that Christmas hamper and celebrating my 30th birthday here brought little splashes of everyday life to our upside-down world.

When we finally take Frank home, we’ll have plenty of support: speech therapy, feeding specialists, dieticians, physiotherapy, and nurses visiting. Our biggest job will be keeping him healthy while his immune system catches up.

He’s developmentally more like a two-month-old and weighs just 11.5 pounds, so we have some catching up to do. We take him for little walks and give him all the stimulation we can. I’ll never forget watching him meet another baby for the first time. They just stared at each other in wonder, having never seen another little person before.

Frank has had so many firsts here: his first haircut, meeting grandparents and aunties, seeing the sky during the day, and even a visit from Santa. He’ll probably need his feeding tube until he’s two or three, and we might be back here for tube issues, but we’re just so thankful for the support that’s carried us through.

I dream about the day I can dress him in all those tiny clothes waiting at home and tuck him into his own bed. We’ll miss the midnight chats with other parents who actually understand what we’re going through, but we’re ready for our next chapter together.

Looking back at everything, I realise Ronald McDonald House gave us something priceless. They gave us the chance to be parents to Frank through all of this. Not just visitors, but proper parents, there for every step of his incredible journey.