The Burton Family

Our Story

Our family had a normal life. Then suddenly – what we thought was a routine appointment for a chest infection quickly spiraled into something life altering. Conway was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent emergency surgery to treat it within just a few hours. We had no time to process what was happening, let alone plan where we would sleep or how we would manage being far from home. When we realized we weren’t going home and didn’t know what the future held for our family, we were left us feeling incredibly helpless.

Everything moved so quickly and we wanted to be close to Conway to the whole time. At first, my husband and I tried to sleep on a single bedside cot together, but it quickly became clear that we needed real rest.

That’s when one of my son’s nurses told us about Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario. My husband stayed at the House, which meant he could be with Conway until his bedtime, get a good night’s sleep himself, then return to Conway’s bedside first thing in the morning.

I had heard of Ronald McDonald House before, but I didn’t truly understand what it meant to families until we had to rely on it. Because of the House and the Family Rooms, we didn’t have to be apart during a frightening time.

Staying at the House was deeply comforting - having homecooked breakfast and dinner made it easier to care for ourselves when we needed to. The coffee in both the House and the Family Rooms honestly felt like a lifeline. Having a place to shower, do laundry, and step away briefly while my husband and I traded off meant more than we can explain. Holding yourself together for your sick child takes so much emotional energy. Having somewhere safe to close your eyes, cry, pray, or simply breathe - when home isn’t an option - was an enormous comfort. It also gave us a space to spend time with our daughter outside of the hospital. Being able to sit together, share a meal, and watch TV allowed her a break too, as she was experiencing everything alongside us.

One of my warmest memories was being given a handmade hat and mittens by the front desk staff. My son’s surgery happened during a snowstorm, and I arrived completely unprepared for the weather, still wearing my work uniform. The walk to the hospital was short, but bitterly cold. That small act of kindness - offered so gently - made me feel deeply cared for at a moment when everything felt so overwhelming.

We were in the hospital over Family Day, and RMH SCO gifted our family a Boston Pizza gift card. It was such a thoughtful gesture and gave us a small sense of normalcy during a very difficult time.

Every staff member and volunteer we encountered showed genuine compassion. From warm check-ins to quiet kindness, they made an incredibly frightening experience feel more human. Their empathy and compassion left a lasting impression on our family.

Ronald McDonald House provided far more than a place to sleep. It gave our family comfort, dignity, and the ability to stay together when we needed it most. During one of the hardest experiences of our lives, we felt supported, seen, and cared for - and that is truly something we will always carry with us.

Huge thanks to Ronald McDoanld House and all that they do!