Ronald McDonald House Charity and Baystate Children’s Hospital open first family room in Western Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) – Ronald McDonald House Charity of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts and Baystate Children’s Hospital cut the ceremonial ribbon of the new family room.

The room is a place for parents and families to come to recharge so they can be 100% when their child needs their support.

The room is stocked with drinks, snacks, chargers, sleep masks, a fish tank, and even a massage chair. Members of the Ronald McDonald House will be in the room to serve the parents and families.

“Parents get really stressed out trying to care for their children and in order for them to be able to be here and do everything that their child needs, not just be here physically but be here mentally and engaged and be here to explain things to their child that their child may not be able to understand, comfort them when they are scared or anxious about something” said Josh Wallace, who’s son just got discharged today after being in the hospital for almost 2 weeks.

The family room is the first in Western Massachusetts where families will be able to rest and recharge away from the clinical bedside before getting back to their child.

Michelle D’Amore, the Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Massachusetts said when you have a sick child, you have a sick family, so while Baystate is providing the clinical care for the child, they can help provide care for the families.

Starting now, families will be able to have access to services they need to care for themselves and get back to their children.

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