Our daughter, Fatima was born extremely prematurely at just 23 weeks and 3 days, requiring intensive medical care from the moment she arrived. She was initially treated at St Peter’s Hospital before being transferred to Royal Brompton Hospital for a device closure which is a minimally invasive procedure used to close the ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. After returning to St Peter’s, she was later moved to East Surrey Hospital, where she developed stridor, a high-pitched, wheezing or crowning sound caused by turbulent airflow through a narrow or partially blocked airway, and ongoing respiratory difficulties. Due to the complexity of her condition, Fatima was referred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting for specialist lung treatment and surgery.
As we live in Crawley, travelling daily to St George’s Hospital would have been extremely difficult, exhausting, and expensive. Ronald McDonald House UK provided us with accommodation close to the hospital, allowing us to stay near our daughter and support her throughout her treatment during an incredibly challenging time.
Our main concerns about Fatima’s hospital stay were the long distance from our home to St George’s and the physical, emotional, and financial strain daily travel would have caused. We worried about missing important moments in her care and not being able to reach the hospital quickly if her condition changed. Having accommodation so close to the hospital eased many of these worries and allowed us to focus fully on her care and recovery.
We learned about Ronald McDonald House Tooting when Fatima was transferred to St George’s for specialist treatment. The hospital staff informed us about the charity and the accommodation available for families living far away, which made it possible for us to remain close to our daughter throughout her hospital stay.
When we first stepped into the House, we felt an overwhelming sense of relief and comfort after such a long and difficult journey. Living with constant stress, worry, and exhaustion due to Fatima’s medical needs had taken its toll. Walking into a warm, welcoming space where we could finally rest, while knowing we were only moments away from our daughter, meant everything to us. It was more than just accommodation, it felt like a safe place where we could breathe, feel supported, and regain strength during an incredibly uncertain time.
There were many special moments during our stay at the Tooting House that we will carry with us forever. One of the most meaningful aspects was the strong sense of community and support from other families who truly understood what we were going through. Sharing conversations, encouragement, and kindness made such a difficult time feel less isolating. We also cherished the small, everyday moments, having a quiet place to rest after long hospital days, cooking meals together, and finding comfort in a space that felt safe and welcoming.
Being close to Fatima meant we could be present for every small step in her recovery, offering her comfort, security, and love when she needed it most. Knowing we were nearby allowed us to respond quickly to any changes in her condition and to support the medical team whenever needed. We truly believe that being close and present had a positive impact on her progress. Staying together as a family reduced our stress and gave us the strength to remain focused on supporting her recovery every single day.
Without the Tooting House we would have faced impossible choices. Travelling over an hour each way from Crawley would have been exhausting, costly, and emotionally overwhelming. The thought of being separated from our daughter, or arriving too late when she needed us, would have been heartbreaking. Without a safe and welcoming place to stay, our situation would have been filled with additional fear, stress, and isolation. We honestly don’t know how we would have managed these months without the comfort and support the House provided.