The Gligorevic Family

Our Story

When we first learned that our son would need specialized care far from home, it felt like our world had been turned upside down. Mladen was born unexpectedly premature, weighing just 3.5 pounds, and was immediately transferred to a McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton which was equipped to provide the level of care he needed.

While we were incredibly grateful that such specialized care existed, it also meant leaving behind our home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and our 2-year-old daughter with our family during one of the most frightening times of our lives.The uncertainty was overwhelming. We didn’t know how long our son would be in the NICU for, what challenges he would face, or how we would balance being there for him while caring for our older child at home.

Every day brought new emotions; fear, hope, exhaustion, and moments where we simply didn’t know how we would keep going.

Then we heard about Ronald McDonald House. At first, it felt too good to be true – a safe place for us to stay right across the street – but when we got to tour the House and check-in, we were overwhelmed with gratitude. My husband and I were in complete disbelief that an incredible organization like Ronald McDonald House existed for families like us.

Ronald McDonald House became so much more than a place to stay. It became our home for the two months our son was in the NICU. Having a safe, welcoming place just minutes from the hospital meant we could be by his bedside every day without the added stress of long commutes or worrying about where we would sleep. It gave us precious time with our son during the moments that mattered most.

Beyond the practical support, Ronald McDonald House gave us something we desperately needed: a sense of normalcy and a community of families who truly understood what we were going through. The kindness of the staff, volunteers, and other families reminded us that we weren’t facing this journey alone.

Their compassion allowed us to focus on what mattered most; being present for our son as he fought to grow stronger each day.

One memory I find myself replaying over and over is the night before Father’s Day. I had been at the hospital until midnight, sitting beside my son’s NICU bed, feeling heartbroken that my husband would have to spend Father’s Day in the hospital instead of celebrating with his family.

When I finally returned to Ronald McDonald House, emotionally exhausted, I stepped off the elevator and saw a small Father’s Day gift waiting outside every family’s door. I immediately burst into tears. It was such a simple gesture, yet in that moment it meant everything. It reminded us that even during the hardest days, someone was thinking about us, caring for us, and finding ways to make us feel seen.

Ronald McDonald House was a place filled with kindness, compassion, and people who understood how much those small moments of care could mean when you were living through the unimaginable.