Right before his birth, it was discovered that Jacob would be born with Esophageal Atresia, a condition where his esophagus had not developed long enough to fully attach to his stomach.
When Nabil and Joleen Rizkalla purchased a townhouse in Orange County, they were excited to set down roots for their new family. Joleen was pregnant with their first child, and the family was anxiously awaiting his arrival. However, the home they wanted to take their baby to became inconvenient once Jacob was born. Right before his birth, it was discovered that Jacob would be born with Esophageal Atresia, a condition where his esophagus had not developed long enough to fully attach to his stomach.
The Rizkalla family was sent to Long Beach for prolonged care. While the hospital was a literal lifesaver for young Jacob, the distance between it and their Orange County home quickly became a worry. With only one car between them, the family wondered how they were going to be able to care and provide for their newborn son, until they were referred to the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.
“We never imagined the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House would be comparable to a 5-star hotel. When we arrived, we were greeted by amazing people. It was so convenient for my wife and I as we no longer had to worry about us not being near Jacob during his treatments,” said Nabil Rizkalla .
During their 202-night stay, the young family was grateful not only for the tangible items the House provided, but also for things they never expected.
