05 May Crisp’s Family Story

Florence had no diaphragm on her left side, all her organs that should have been in her stomach were up in her chest. Her left lung was squashed and underdeveloped. Her heart was pushed over to the right. –  Andrew, Florence’s dad

Florence, daughter of Andrew and Sarah was born with a dangerous birth defect known as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Thankfully, doctors picked up on Florence’s condition when mum Sarah was just 15 weeks pregnant.  To give her daughter the best chance of survival, Sarah would need to stay at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth where she could be monitored in her final four weeks of pregnancy.

After Florence’s birth in 2022, she was rushed into specialist care at Perth Children’s Hospital. Sarah and Andrew were preparing for a long stay in Perth. But with home two and a half hours away in Busselton, and two other young children to care for, it was difficult to find a place to stay for the whole family.

That was one of the hardest things when we were looking. There were four of us and we also needed my mum to stay with us because Andrew was still trying to work. – Sarah, Florence’s mum

Initially, Sarah and Andrew considered getting an Airbnb in the heart of Perth. This would likely have cost them over a thousand dollars a week. But then a social worker at the hospital encouraged them to contact Ronald McDonald House Charities WA (RMHC WA).

When we were told there was space at the House, we didn’t really know what to expect. But once we got there, got welcomed and got settled in, it was definitely the best thing we could have done. – Andrew, Florence’s dad

Since Florence’s birth, the family has called RMHC WA their home away from home for over 178 nights and will continue to stay when she requires regular specialist appointments and surgeries in Perth.

178 nights. That’s how many times we’ve stayed at Ronald McDonald House WA over the past two years. And while I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, I hope that any family who needs it will be able to find a place here just like we have. It’s made a huge difference and we’re just so grateful. – Andrew, Florence’s dad

While Florence’s medical journey is far from over, the family has the comfort of knowing that RMHC WA is there for them, making being away from home for as long or as often as they need a little easier.

It’s amazing what the House does and how they make you feel, we’d be lost without Ronald McDonald House WA. – Sarah, Florence’s mum

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