After years of unanswered questions and heartbreaking setbacks, Giselle's family traveled 17 hours in search of hope. At Ronald McDonald House Pasadena, they finally found a place where healing felt possible.
Giselle and her parents, Jessica and Emilio, have stayed at Ronald McDonald House Pasadena three times while seeking treatment for Giselle’s cleft lip and palate. After being told in Mexico that the surgeries their daughter needed were “unnecessary,” they refused to give up hope. Determined to find help, they traveled 17 hours from home in search of the care that could change Giselle’s life.
When Giselle was born, her parents were overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty. Instead of celebrating the future they had imagined for their daughter, they were faced with questions, worries, and the reality of a long and costly medical journey. “We knew that it was going to be a very expensive process and treatment,” they shared. “It generated fear and desperation that we could not cope with.” Despite their worry, they were willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary to give Giselle every opportunity to thrive.
Being far from home while a child undergoes treatment can be isolating and emotionally exhausting. Ronald McDonald House Pasadena has provided community, a place to sleep, and has given the family a sense of stability during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Here, they have found comfort, support, and a community that understands what they are going through, allowing them to focus on what matters most: Giselle’s healing.
For Giselle, Ronald McDonald House has become a place where she can take her mind off of her treatment. She especially loves her room and the garden, where she can play, relax, and feel at home while preparing for treatment. In the midst of a difficult journey, those moments of comfort have made all the difference for their family.
