For Derek, life has often revolved around medical appointments and treatment. At RMH Pasadena, he finds something every child deserves: a chance to play, make friends, and just be a kid.
When Derek was born with scoliosis, his parents were overwhelmed by the diagnosis. “I didn’t even know what scoliosis was,” his mother, Yara, recalled. After being told there was nothing that could be done at the time, the family felt “hopeless and unsure of what to do next.”
Their search for answers eventually led them to Shriners Children’s, where Derek began receiving the care he needed. For the next two years, Derek and his parents traveled to Pasadena every three months for appointments.
The journey was never easy, and treatment was long, but for the Lerma family, Ronald McDonald House Pasadena became a home away from home. “The staff there became like family to us,” Yara said. The House provided emotional, physical, and mental support throughout their journey. Derek is a joyful child. He especially loved the playground, where he could run, play, and enjoy being an active child between treatments.
“Watching Derek go through this was heart-wrenching, but he was always brave, never complaining, and always smiling,” shares his mother.
Today, Derek is a happy, healthy child. Reflecting on their experience, Yara says, “Ronald McDonald House helped us through one of the toughest times of our lives, and I will always be grateful to them.”
