Our Impact
Gaulai’s Story
Ten stays at Ronald McDonald House & counting
Travelling from their home in Thursday Island, Marcella and her three year old son, Gaulai, have stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Townsville a total of ten times and counting. Their current trip is expected to see the family spend over a month away from home.
The family have made these trips to Townsville since Gaulai was diagnosed profound deaf, at one month old.
“We don’t have a team for cochlear implants at the Torres Strait, so we have to travel all the way from home to here; this is where the team is,” Marcella explained.
The free accommodation provided by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia relieves some of the burden for Marcella.
“This is the best accommodation for it. This place is a home away from home. The staff have always been helpful, always friendly, welcoming. I can’t feel this in a motel… he loves it here,” Marcella explained.
“Ronnie’s just helped me so much… everybody’s friendly and we just feel welcomed.”
Without Ronald McDonald House, Marcella does not know how Gaulai could receive his treatment, which is far from home in the Torres Strait.
“I don’t think I could do the treatment if this wasn’t here, because it’s too far; and I wouldn’t be able to cope doing it from a motel, honestly. So, no Ronald McDonald House, I wouldn’t be doing these appointments, I can tell you now,” Marcella said.
Despite his tough situation, Gaulai is a happy, energetic and resilient little boy.
“He’s been good. I think he’s just got used to everybody always sticking things in his ears. He’s really good. He sees this place, and he knows we have to cross the road.”
Being surrounded by other families who are in a similar situation to Marcella made a real difference for her mental health.
“Meeting families that are sort of in a similar boat here. That’s what helps me. I’ve met three parents already on this trip. And everybody was in the same boat as me, just wanted someone to talk to. And I was just grateful. One just took the time, ten minutes, just sat down and had a chat… I needed that.”
Marcella and Gaulai have also made use of the range of facilities at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Townsville University Hospital.
“I’ve had to use the bathroom, and the nap rooms - awesome. And we had to take a couple showers there. Everything was just made easy. Honestly, like I said, if it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t be doing these appointments. It would be too hard without their help. Because they’re so helpful – angels!”
For Gaulai, there’s plenty of fun to have in between his appointments when he stays at Ronald McDonald House.
“Every trip is a happy memory. Gaulai’s sort of... he’s comfortable, and we have stayed in motels before for a couple of his appointments, but he’s just screaming and he doesn’t settle. Here, he’s just relaxed because it’s a family environment here. The park, the kitchen, and there’s other kids around. Even the staff, he even gets along with the staff!”
Having access to homecooked frozen meals after a long day at the Hospital eases the burden for Marcella.
“Awesome food, wow. We had that last night. Gaulai actually had the spaghetti bolognaise. [He] totally enjoyed it. The kitchen’s family friendly. Heaps of space. The I had the chicken bolognaise last night. The frozen one - I’ll have that again tonight!”
With RMHC North Australia relying on the public’s generosity to continue helping children like Gualai, Marcella is imploring the community to donate this tax time.
“This facility needs to stay up and running. A lot of families need this place. Well, I need this place. If it wasn’t for Ronald McDonald House, I wouldn’t be making these trips, honestly. Big support, they’re easy to talk to, coming here’s just a homelike feeling. You won’t find that anywhere else, and a lot of families probably wouldn’t make appointments if there wasn’t a place like this to accommodate them, to accommodate their needs. Without [Ronald McDonald House], life would be so hard for families with sick kids.”
Reflecting on their journey so far with RMHC North Australia, Marcella is thankful to the Charity.
“I’m so grateful for everything. I’m so grateful for everybody and I’m so blessed to be surrounded by the people here, the staff at Ronald McDonald House, the facility, the room, the accommodations. The meals! Thank you. I appreciate everything, and I’m very grateful. And I pray this place stays. And just gets bigger! Very, very blessed with Ronald McDonald House helping us out.”