Esme was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease shortly after birth. Within days she became extremely unwell, and everything felt uncertain. We were suddenly thrown into a world of hospitals, surgeries and medical terminology we didn’t understand, all while trying to process what this meant for her life and our family. Our biggest fear was whether Esme was going to be okay and what her future might look like if she did pull through.
It became clear very quickly that she needed specialist care, which wasn’t near where we lived. We arrived at Ronald McDonald House Brighton two days after she was born, on 27 August 2024. From that point on, our lives revolved around hospitals.
Esme spent the first five weeks of her life in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit. Since then, she has had further stays at Southampton Children’s Hospital for her pull through surgery, at the Royal Alexandra for her stoma closure in May 2025, and again more recently due to infections and complications. Across all these admissions, the Brighton House has been a constant source of support, whether we were staying overnight or using the House during the day to grab a bit of normality in between appointments. Things like doing some laundry and getting some rest become a beacon of normality and things that we used to take for granted.
We live around two hours from Brighton and three and a half hours from Southampton, and before all of this I had no idea Ronald McDonald House UK even existed. I only found out about it when we desperately needed it. It’s almost like a club no one ever wants to join, but I’m incredibly grateful for the community we found there. Without it, staying close to Esme simply wouldn’t have been possible.
I remember walking into the House for the first time feeling completely overwhelmed. Everything was happening so fast and emotionally I was all over the place. But at the same time, there was a huge sense of relief. It didn’t feel clinical like the hospital. It felt warm and safe and somewhere that I could take a breath, even if just for a moment. It meant we could stay together as a family during a time when everything else felt like it was falling apart.
What stands out most to me is the sense of community. Being surrounded by other families who truly understood what we were going through made such a difference. You don’t have to explain yourself; they just get it. I met some incredible people during our stays, and those friendships have stayed with me.
The House also made a huge difference for our boys, Teddy who’s eight and Harry who’s 14. Having their baby sister in hospital was frightening for them, but being able to stay close to us helped ease their anxiety. It gave them some sense of normality in a very abnormal situation and meant they felt included.
Being close to Esme absolutely impacted her recovery. She’s had many hospital stays due to infections and complications, and I can’t even list them all. But being nearby meant we could always be there for her. Seeing her brothers lifts her mood and having us all close gave her comfort and reassurance during incredibly difficult moments.
Without the House, I honestly don’t know how we would have managed. We would have been travelling back and forth long distances, sleeping in the car, or facing costs we simply couldn’t afford on one income. The thought of being far away if something changed with Esme was unbearable, I wouldn’t have been able to rest or switch off at all.
Each time we’ve left the House, it’s been a mix of emotions. So much thanks and love for everything it gave us, and relief to be going home after such difficult periods. But the constant, unwavering support has stayed with us. Every time we’ve needed it, the House has been there, practically and emotionally, and that’s something I’ll never forget.
That experience has made me want to give back, so other families can have that same support. That’s why I’m fundraising for Ronald McDonald House UK through the college where I work, alongside the hair, beauty and wellbeing departments across Eastbourne, Lewes and Hastings. It felt right to use the skills and community around me to do something positive. Throughout May, students are offering charity salon services, and I’ll be hosting raffles, quiz nights and a ‘radiothon’. For me, it’s simply about saying thank you and helping other families feel a little less alone when they’re going through the hardest days of their lives.
If I could give any advice to another family starting this journey, it would be this: even though it might feel like your world is falling apart, you are not alone. Lean on the people around you. Talk when you can. Accept support when it’s offered. The House becomes more than just somewhere to stay, it becomes a community, and that support really does carry you through the hardest times.
Ronald McDonald House Brighton didn’t just give us somewhere to stay. It gave us strength, community and the ability to stay close when it mattered most and we can never say a big enough thank you!