A Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House Family Shares

Submitted by: Kelly Hays O'Connor, Special Events Coordinator, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House

Christiane Osowiecki did not know what to expect when she arrived at the door of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House 13 years ago. Her daughter Gabrielle had been born ten weeks early and transported to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from New Jersey. “I imagined a room filled with beds,” says Christiane. “I came with coolers packed with food. When I got to the House, my breath was taken away by what I saw.”

Unsure just what her child was facing, Christiane asked the Manager at the time how long she could stay. “She told me ‘You’re with us until your daughter goes home’ and I just started sobbing. I could not believe it,” says Christiane. That first stay was five and a half months.

It turns out that Gabrielle was born with Joubert Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and her kidneys were failing. At 15 months, she became the smallest baby ever to undergo a kidney transplant. The donor was Christiane’s mother. Just two weeks after the successful procedure, Gabby’s liver began to fail.

That was the beginning of many stays at the House for the Osowieckis. Following her transplant, Gabrielle had surgery a minimum of every six weeks, for five years. “No matter how many times you go for surgery, it is such a scary thing,” Christiane explains. “Gabrielle was never afraid to go. She was always looking forward to the stay at the House, and distracted by the fun of having us there.” At the age of ten, Gabrielle had her second transplant, this time for her liver. She remained in the hospital for five months.

For Christiane, the most valuable thing the House provides during these times is peace of mind. “For me as a parent not to have to wonder where I am going to sleep that night, or how I am going to keep my family intact and my kids together – that mountainous burden is relieved by the House. You cannot imagine how priceless that is.”

Today, the Osowiecki family is home, waiting for a second liver transplant. Gabrielle’s new liver began to fail two years ago, resulting in a 466 day stay in the hospital; she is now at the top of the list to receive a healthy liver. Each day they wait for the phone call. Despite the challenges, Gabrielle remains a spirited 13-year-old girl. “She just steals people’s hearts,” says Christiane. “Her laugh is so contagious. She makes an impact on people.”

So many years after her first stay at the House, Christiane can barely believe all that her family has been through, and how the House has helped. “I found myself in a world that I never knew existed,” she says. “At first I wished I never knew, but there are so many blessings that come with being a part of it. Everyone should know what the House does for families, even in the most tragic of circumstances.”

If you would like to learn more about the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House’s mission of providing a home environment and supportive services to families while their children receive critical medical care, visit www.philarmh.org.