The Sabri Family

Our Story

 At just 12 weeks into my pregnancy, we found out Isa had Down syndrome. From that moment, my family started making frequent, hour-long drives from our home in Kitchener to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton – the closest children’s hospital for families across the Tri-Cities and Guelph-Wellington regions. 

At 32 weeks into my pregnancy, everything changed.

I was rushed to my local hospital in Kitchener after doctors discovered Isa was in distress. My water had broken, and our baby boy was ready to make his first appearance in the world. But the emergency care he needed was at McMaster. So while I was in labour, I was rushed from Kitchener to Hamilton where I underwent an emergency C-section.

Suddenly, the hour-long drives we became accustomed to took on a whole new meaning. This wasn’t an appointment we could drive home from. Our baby boy was on the way and he needed specialized care at a hospital far from home. We were scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what his future would look like.

When I learned that Isa would need long-term care in the NICU, I was devastated to think that I’d have to travel from Kitchener just to see him. Between travel time and financial strain, I didn’t know how I’d get through this period of my life.

That’s when we found Ronald McDonald House.

I’ll never forget when they called back the same day with an available room for me and my family to stay. Suddenly, we felt a little stronger. We had home-cooked meals, a place where my children could be together, and most importantly – we had a community to hold us.

During our month stay at Ronald McDonald House, our family experienced so many moments of kindness I’ll never forget. When our oldest son celebrated his 5th birthday, the staff and volunteers surprised him with gifts and treats. For a little while, our family celebrated a birthday instead of thinking about the NICU – that moment felt normal.

Ronald McDonald House gave us time.
Time with Isa.
Time with my other children.
Time together as a family.

There were other families going through their own medical journeys too. I met another mother whose daughter was in the NICU alongside Isa. We shared meals, movie nights, and stories during our stays. What began as two strangers playing with their kids in the became a friendship I’ll carry with me forever.

That sense of community helped me get through one of the most difficult periods of my life.

Today, Isa is two years old. While he is thriving, our medical journey continues with surgeries and regular appointments at McMaster. Whenever we return to Hamilton, we are grateful to have the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms just steps away from Isa’s bed in the hospital.

Ronald McDonald House gave my family more than a place to stay. It gave us people who care – a community to lean on and the strength to keep going.