20 Feb Annette’s Story

Annette is the proud mother to Tammi, mother in law to Tyler and little Hugo’ grandmother.

As the family prepared to welcome Hugo into the world, things didn’t go as planned, when her daughter Tammi was rushed to hospital 32 weeks into her pregnancy.

Looking at my wonderful, energetic just-turned-three-year-old grandson today, it’s almost impossible to imagine he was ever critically ill. But I still remember the sound of the car tyres on the driveway as Tyler rushed Tammi to our local hospital in Albany on that November night three years ago

Tammi’s pregnancy had been trouble-free until that point.

None of us were prepared for Hugo to be born two months early, or for the traumatic birth that also put Tammi’s life at risk, Annette explains.

The quick action of the medical team at Albany Hospital enabled to Tammi to deliver Hugo, however not without complications. 

I’ll be forever grateful for the care they received at Albany Hospital. The quick action of the doctors saved both Tammi and Hugo. But at just 1.9 kilos, my tiny grandson needed specialised care 400km away at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH).

Thanks to Ronald McDonald House in PCH, Tammi and Tyler had a place to stay, on the Hospital ward and close to the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit where Hugo was fighting for his life.

Without Ronald McDonald House Charities WA (RMHC WA), I honestly don’t know what we would have done. Tyler wouldn’t have been able to be there for all those crucial moments – learning to feed Hugo, changing him, holding him and all while supporting Tammi as she recovered from major surgery. Tammi might not have been able to provide the breast milk that was so important for Hugo’s development, Annette says.

RMHC WA provided so much more than just a room; it gave them a private, comfortable space where they could focus entirely on helping Hugo grow stronger. And later, a place where Annette could visit her precious newborn grandson.

Today, Hugo is thriving, but Annette will never forget those first challenging months or the crucial role RMHC WA played in their family’s journey.

It was such a relief to know they had the support, comfort and community during the toughest of times.

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