We went to live at hospital to be with him.. and we haven’t been home since
FAMILY HAVE SPENT OVER TWO YEARS IN RONALD McDONALD HOUSE TO BE CLOSE TO SICK NATHAN
A FAMILY who moved into a hospital apartment to be with their sick child have yet to return home – after more than two years.
Nathan Browne was born with several heart conditions and since his birth at St Mary’s in Manchester in October 2019, his family have been by his side.
Mum Joy, dad Patrick and their 11-year-old twins Elienai and Eliedad, left their home to move into the Ronald McDonald House Manchester.
The charity-funded house is just a stone’s throw from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and is the only place Nathan is allowed to go when he gets a break from the ward.
It’s there he can spend time with his family and play with his brother and sister, with his parents safe in the knowledge that any medical support is close by.
He gets to spend up to 10 hours a day in the Manchester House, precious time he would not get with his family had they remained at their home in Farnworth.
For now, that’s being rented out, with Patrick driving the twins back each day to attend their final year at Cherry Tree primary school.
Joy, whose scans hadn’t detected any heart problems during pregnancy, described how difficult it was for them all.
She said: “We were told that he wasn’t going to make it and all we could do was just cry.
“It was incredibly traumatic.”
As well as being close to Nathan, they have been able to continue with their lives, with Joy doing a master’s degree in children’s nursing and Patrick working full-time night shifts as a housing assistant.
“It’s been nearly two-and-a-half years since we came to Ronald McDonald House Manchester,” said Joy. “We’ve never been home; the house is like home to us. To be honest, we virtually don’t miss anything.
“Our twins have been coping every day because they are able to stay at the house and Nathan is allowed to come over from the ward and we all get to see his nice, warm smile.
“The house makes you feel like there is nothing to worry about and doesn’t make you feel insecure as if they’re doing you a massive favour.”
Nathan can play in his room and in the garden and play area, which features a playground made from recycled Happy Meal toys.
The brave toddler has had 11 procedures in total – four of which were major, including open heart surgery.
He has a tracheostomy and is ventilated via a portable vent 24 hours a day. But it’s hoped he’ll eventually be able to be weaned off it with the aim of discharging him before his third birthday.
Joy said: “I want to plead with you out there to support Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. They need your support to help families, especially like us, who haven’t been home in years.”