Seeing Old Friends at the Ronald McDonald House

Despite having made 15 trips to New York from Washington state for medical reasons, 12 of which were spent at the , Lisa and Mary Currall try to remain positive and enjoy the experience whenever possible.

Lisa noted that when travelling from such a distance, it's hard to be away from home sometimes, but the people at the Ronald McDonald House, from the cleaning crew who remember you when you walk in the doors to the families who stay there and become friends, you almost feel at home at the Ronald McDonald House.

"We couldn't do it without this place," Lisa said, adding that the cost of a hotel piled on top of medical bills can be a big burden to bear.

Lisa and Mary are here due Mary's spinal surgery at in Manhasset. Six out of Lisa's eight children have spinal cord issues. But those issues seem to melt away when you play chirades with the families who speak Arabic or when a group of the children get together to make a birthday celebration for a boy who was getting a bone marrow transplant. Lisa began to tear up when she described her daughter and some other children decorating the house and having birthday cake.

"This is a very unique, amazing place," Lisa said."We look forward to visiting the Ronald McDonald House. It's like visiting friends."

The Currall family tries to keep their spirits up by remembering how many people also have it tough, such as the families from Iraq and Afghanistan staying at the Ronald McDonald House whose home lives are dramatically different than ours, and also by dressing up each day. Making sure that their hair is done well and that they are dressed well has helped the family to stay positive.

From constantly having food in the fridge to getting a ride wherever they need to go to seeing friends throughout the house, the Curralls are grateful for everything the house provides at what could otherwise be a more difficult time.