The Dickinson Family

Patient: Shayn
Age: 2 months
Diagnosis: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Length of Stay: 2 weeks

Dec15th, 2003 is a night that parents John and Laurie Dickinson will not soon forget. They were awakened by their 2-month-old son Shayn, who was coughing and having a hard time breathing. As Shayn was turning blue, they rushed him to their local hospital. His oxygen levels were dropping dramatically and the doctors did their best to stabilize Shayn for an emergency LifeLink to Children's Hospital of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Shayn was stricken with a life-threatening respiratory virus. They were told he may not survive the trip.

John and Laurie were in shock...but they knew they had to be strong for Shayn, his twin brother Gavyn and Shayn's big brother, Dylan. The Dickinson family left their home with one small bag of personal items and a small amount of cash in the middle of a snow storm. Six hours later the Dickinson's arrived in Minneapolis, Shayn was stabilized in the intensive care unit, and with the help of a hospital social worker, they found their way to the Ronald McDonald House. They had heard of the House, but neither John nor Laurie was prepared for the tremendous impact the House That Love Built would have on their family over the course of their stay.

Because Shayn was so young, John and Laurie did not want to leave his side for very long. "It was wonderful for us to have the Ronald McDonald House nearby where we could both get a needed change of scenery and recharge our batteries, Laurie recalls. John and Laurie relished the chance to spend time with their other sons and we're comfortable knowing they were in a safe and supportive environment at the House. "The House was a peaceful heaven for our entire family, I don't know how we would have survived this without the support the Ronald McDonald House provided," John says.

Fortunately for the Dickinson family, Shayn was able to fully recover and return home with his family. Once the Dickinson's returned home and reflected on their experience they quickly came to the realization that any parent could be faced with the reality of a critically ill child and the need to have a place to stay while far away from home. It was then than John and Laurie knew that Ronald McDonald House Charities was now "their" charity. Their volunteer work in raising awareness and support for RMHC is a way to give back to the organization that helped restore their son's health, John and Laurie say.

Over the past three years, the Dickinson's have rallied the support of their Bemidji area residents, businesses, schools and various community organizations in support of RMHC. By conducting family wish list drives and soliciting cash donations, the Dickinson's have inspired their community to support the children and families of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest.

"When a child is diagnosed with a catastrophic illness, it affects the health of the whole family, and medical interventions are not the only path to wellness. The Ronald McDonald House and the extensive programs and services they offer helped our family stay physically and emotionally healthy. That enabled us to be a better caregiver to Shayn and our other sons," Laurie explains. "As an Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities, I may not be able to cure a child's disease or make all the pain go away, but I can give that family and child a touch of home."