Christmas Work Shirts and how you can help Ronald McDonald House Charities!

In August 2018, two and a half year old Grace was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome which is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. Grace also suffered from a dilated aorta and as a result of her conditions, she was required to have open heart surgery.

She was the first child in Australia and the youngest child in the world to have the PEARS procedure which was led by a UK doctor who flew to Australia for the surgery.

Grace has undertaken multiple surgeries so far throughout her young life. Since returning home, the sutures in her skull have prematurely fused and may need to be corrected through surgery within the next 5 years. She has also developed scoliosis of the spine which restricts her to a back brace for 22 hours a day and potentially leading to a spinal fusion in the future. Her health will continue to be monitored, however, Grace and her family face the challenges, taking it all in their stride.

As Grace and her family, mum Rebekka, dad Lou and little sister Evie, are from Rockhampton, they have stayed at Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane since January 2019, so they are able to be close to Grace while she receives care.

Rebekka describes Ronald McDonald House as a ‘safe place’ and a ‘blessing’ and would have struggled financially to accommodate all the associated costs that comes with extended stays away from home.

Grace is now back home with her family in Rockhampton recovering and doing well from her heart surgery. Grace will continue to visit her ‘second home’ at Ronald McDonald House when she receives regular check-ups and future surgeries at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.