“Being at the House has been amazing. This is the highlight of caring.”

At birth, MJ was diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome. This rare genetic disorder causes the skull to fuse prematurely, preventing the brain from growing and leading to wide-set bulging eyes and an underdeveloped jaw. As MJ got older, he experienced intense pressure on his brain, making it hard for him to walk and keep his balance. It was also impacting his cognitive ability. Debby and MJ traveled from their home in Jamaica to seek craniofacial treatment at Shriners Children’s Ohio.

“I got here because of an answered prayer, explained Debby. “As a single mom with two boys, I knew I could not afford the surgeries MJ needed. When the hospital accepted our case, they asked if we had accommodations and recommended RMHC Dayton.”

When Debby and MJ arrived at RMHC in early January 2024, they didn’t know what to expect. They knew their time at Shriners would require multiple surgeries, and being away from home would be challenging. Debby and MJ soon realized that staying at the House, meeting the staff, and forging relationships with other families would make their stay feel like a home away from home.

“There was nothing that I needed that could not be provided by the staff,” recalled Debby. “They were always listening to our concerns. They checked on MJ while he was at the hospital and ensured the kitchen was fully stocked with all his favorites after surgery.”

Debby also recalled going into the kitchen to grab something to eat and finding chocolate cake in the refrigerator. A staff member offered her a slice. “I told her I wasn’t a fan of chocolate, so she asked what kind of cake I liked. I said cheesecake, and the staff member promised to make one for me.” Before leaving to visit family for a few weeks, Debby discovered a cheesecake in the kitchen. “It was terrific, and everyone loved it.” Debby joked about only having a small slice before the other House guests gobbled it up, so when Debby and MJ returned to the House, two homemade cheesecakes were in the refrigerator – one for Debby and another to share with the other House guests. “It made my stay so memorable.”

Debby and MJ also found a great sense of community with the other families staying at the House. Despite language barriers, a group of moms from seven countries came together to provide a sense of healing and comfort during their children’s medical journeys. The group even created a mini ritual when their child was going to have surgery. “We would gather in a circle in the kitchen, and we had this saying: ‘Put fear in your pocket.’ You cannot let your child see what you are going through. Put fear in your pocket, lift your shoulders, walk into that room, and be there for your child.” During surgery and post-ops, the group would visit each other at the hospital. “We became a little family. When it comes down to love and your family; it does not matter your country or culture; love remains the same.”