24 Apr Comfort, Care, and Strength to Stay by Their Son’s Side
When 12-year-old Stefan’s ski trip took a tragic turn, his parents found themselves two hours from home, unsure of what the future would hold. What they did know was that they needed to be by his side—and the Ronald McDonald House in Albany made that possible.
On New Year’s Eve, Stefan—a vibrant, athletic boy who loves swimming and Brazilian jiu-jitsu—crashed into a tree while skiing in western Massachusetts. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with two broken legs, head trauma, and multiple injuries. Over the next two months, he would undergo seven surgeries and receive care from 11 different medical specialties.
For his parents, Rick and Sanda, the only option was to stay—and fight—alongside their son.
The family was introduced to RMHC through use of the overnight sleep rooms, inside the Ronald McDonald Family Room. But as the reality of a long hospital stay set in, they were referred to the Ronald McDonald House—just a short distance from the hospital.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Rick said. “We were given a room with a private bathroom, there were hot meals every night, laundry, and anything else we might need. We didn’t have to think about surviving—we could focus completely on Stefan.”
One small moment stands out vividly in their memory: “When we checked in, we received a welcome bag,” Rick recalled. “My wife later needed chapstick—something we never would have packed in the chaos—but there it was in the bag. She said, ‘I didn’t know I needed chapstick, but the Ronald McDonald House did.’ That’s how thoughtful everything was.”
Throughout Stefan’s recovery, which included multiple returns to the hospital due to complications, the Ronald McDonald House remained a constant.
Rick and Sanda worked in shifts to ensure one parent was always at the hospital while the other rested. “We were there for eight weeks straight. A hotel would have been impossible, even for the most affluent family,” Rick said. “Being so close allowed us to be fully involved in his care—something that helped not only with his medical needs, but also with his emotional strength.”
RMHC offered support in unexpected ways, too. When the family’s car developed a flat tire, an RMHC staff member offered an air compressor so they could get back on the road. “It’s those little things that made such a huge difference,” Rick said. “Every person there—from staff to volunteers—was kind, helpful, and genuinely compassionate.”
Before this experience, Rick admits his family knew very little about RMHC. But now, they’re determined to pay it forward.
“We live in Hartford, Connecticut, and there’s no Ronald McDonald House in our area. After Stefan’s recovery, we want to make it our cause to change that,” Rick shared. “No family should have to go through what we did without the kind of support we received.”
Rick has a heartfelt message for those who make our work possible:
“You gave us more than a place to sleep. You gave us peace of mind, the ability to stay close, and the strength to support our son every step of the way. We’re forever grateful.”