APRIL 2017
From Our House to Yours RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY NEWSLETTER
FAMILY STORY: STEFFENS FAMILY Wendy and Joe Steffens’ hearts instantly
34th week. After a completely exhausting
and have that interaction was significant
tightened when they were told hard news
experience, both precious babies were
to Charlotte and Joshua’s progress.
that one of their twins, Charlotte, was
welcomed into the world and rushed to
Of the Ronald McDonald House, the
not growing. Such difficult news on top
the NICU where they would need to stay
Steffens family said, “It made all the
of the nerves from the newness of this
to grow.
difference that the House was there for
being their first pregnancy was heart-
us. We walked in, not expecting anything,
wrenching. With little time to process
Wendy was discharged, but the twins
and there was a whole welcoming gift
the severity of the situation, Wendy and
were still in the NICU and the Steffens
basket. It was very welcoming.” This
Joe were terrified as a C-section was
family felt completely overwhelmed with
small act made Wendy and Joe feel truly
scheduled for two days later at Wendy’s
questions about the future. Soon after,
cared for during such an uncertain time.
RMHC offered a place for the Steffens family to stay and an
One of the most important things RMHC
enormous weight was lifted off
offers is a support system. The Steffens
Wendy and Joe’s shoulders.
family thought they were getting a place
The family talked of their
to stay, but soon realized the additional
incredible relief, “We didn’t
unexpected benefit in the interactions
have to worry about what we
with other guests. This support system
were going to do, where we
proved to be invaluable. The Steffens
were going to go or how we
family said, “Just being able to be with
were going to make it.”
people who are kind of going through a similar situation helped a lot.”
Available space at the House allowed Wendy and Joe to be
Going home for Joshua meant staying
close to their children. Simply
with Mom and Dad at the Ronald
being able to hold their babies
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