30 Jan Every other week, a safe place to land.
The Smith family’s life runs on a demanding rhythm.
Every other week, they travel from Harrisburg to Children’s National Hospital so both of their children can receive treatment for Batten disease (CLN2).
Silas is 6. He is, in his parents’ words, “a very sweet little boy who loves his family and dinosaurs.” Scarlett is 2. She is “adventurous, full of life and loves her little brother.”
Their family’s journey began when Silas was 3 and started having seizures. Genetic testing led to answers and because of that diagnosis, Scarlett was tested at birth.
That “every other week” schedule means a lot of appointments and long car rides. It also means that the basics matter more than most people realize: a place to sleep, a kitchen so you can eat without another expense, access to laundry so you can keep going without falling behind.
That is the role Ronald McDonald House of Greater Washington DC plays for this family.
During treatment weeks, the Smith family stays with us for one night every two weeks. It is not a luxury. It is stability.
They describe Ronald McDonald House as “a wonderful organization that helps families in need with a place to stay for a long or short period of time.” They name two things that make the biggest difference: being able to connect with other families and having a full kitchen with food so they do not have to eat out.
And they are clear about what life would look like without this support: “We would have to drive down to the hospital in the early morning or pay hundreds of dollars for a hotel.”
But the impact goes beyond logistics.
When a child is in treatment, families carry a constant mental load. Their quote captures it with precision:
“Ronald McDonald House truly makes a difference for families like ours because it gives us a safe, supportive place to land during some of the hardest moments of our lives. When you’re focused on your child’s health, the last thing you want to worry about is food, transportation or where you’re going to sleep and Ronald McDonald House takes that weight off our shoulders.”
They also point to something donors do not always picture: the emotional health of the whole family, including kids.
“They create activities, moments of joy and opportunities for the kids to simply be kids, even while navigating really difficult challenges. My family typically stays for one night every two weeks and Ronald McDonald House always tries to include us. That makes me so thankful.”
The Smith family ends with what we hope every family feels here: that they are not just receiving help, they are part of a community that brings comfort, stability and a sense of normalcy when everything else feels overwhelming.
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Ronald McDonald House Washington DC keeps families close when a child is ill or injured. Families don’t just visit — they stay. Community support helps provide a place to rest, meals and the practical care that makes hard seasons survivable.