(2020-2021)
Mum, Jillian Martin, and Dad, Daniel Rhodes, have stayed at Ronald McDonald House for their children on multiple occasions, including Christmas of 2020 and 2021.

Their first stay was from October 2020 to January 2021. Due to Jillian’s high-risk pregnancy, Jillian, Daniel and their then 14-month-old son, Spencer, needed to be close to Townsville University Hospital. 

About a week after the family arrived at Ronald McDonald House, Jillian when into labour and had another boy, Isaiah.

“I stayed a total of 13 weeks and 1 day at Ronald McDonald House, whilst Isaiah spent 12 weeks and 1 day in NICU. Thanks to RMHC North Australia, we were able to walk across the road to the hospital every 6 hours to care for Isaiah. This would have been a logistical nightmare had we stayed elsewhere,” Jillian explained.

Despite having to stay away from their home in Mount Isa at Christmas, the family have fond memories of spending Christmas at Ronald McDonald House.

“It was a celebration of everything that is Christmas,” Jillian explained.

“Being together with family and friends. The eating of all the delicious food, and just talking about things other than why you were there. You just forget about it. And it’s really important to have those days.”

For Jillian, she was amazed at what RMHC North Australia’s community of supporters provided for families staying at the House over Christmas.

“As you were walking over to the hospital, you would just see car after car coming in with parents and kids bringing in donations of toys. Then they all get wrapped. It’s just so incredible to see the community’s generosity.

“On Christmas day, to open the door of the unit and to see all of those presents there for Spencer was just a feeling that you can’t explain, because it’s so magical.

“When you have a child in hospital, you generally can’t work, and you’ve still got bills to pay, so money can be tight. To see everyone’s generosity, it was just so special, it almost makes you want to cry. These are things that we could never have got for Spence if it wasn’t for everyone’s generosity.” 

The family have since stayed at Ronald McDonald House for subsequent specialist appointments for Isaiah. However, in 2021, the family found themselves visiting Ronald McDonald House again.

Jillian had just booked her flights to Townsville to attend more medical appointments for Isaiah. That day, while at home with friends, the family were outside, enjoying their Sunday afternoon.

Spencer loved digging, but on this day, he chose to dig in a new area. The family had enjoyed a fire pit three days prior, and thought it was completely extinguished.

“On Friday morning, Dan soaked the fire pit until there was water pooling on top. We thought we had done the right thing,” Jillian said.

Unfortunately, Spencer had dug his feet in the fire pit the following Sunday, and suffered burns.

The family stayed at Ronald McDonald House for the next five weeks. Since then, Jillian and Daniel have been visiting Ronald McDonald House for follow-up appointments for both Isaiah and Spencer.

While the family had to stay again for Christmas in 2021, Spencer was thrilled to again go on the annual RMHC North Australia Christmas Lights on the Move tour, where the Charity takes families staying at Ronald McDonald House on a tour of the best Christmas lights in Townsville.

“The Christmas light tour is the absolute highlight of Spencer’s life!” Jillian said.

“Last year he was two, so very excited just to sit on the bus and look out the window at all the beautiful lights. When you’re in places like Ronald McDonald House at Christmas time, it is just so refreshing to see something so spectacular.”

For Jillian, the Christmas Lights on the Move tour brought families who were going through similar things closer together.

“You’re just a big family, because you’re all on the bus, and you’re all in it together,” she explained.

Even the decorations staff and volunteers put up around Ronald McDonald House made a sincere difference for Jillian and her family.

“It just reminds you of the fact that, there might be a lot of things going on in your life, but right now, there’s other things to celebrate.”