The Major Family, Hamilton
The Majors of Nawton, Hamilton, spent 98 nights with us from March 2007 through to May 2008 while their daughter Caitlen received treatment for a brain tumour.
Sean and Cathy Major, Caitlen’s parents, both gave up work in order to be near Caitlen as well as caring for her siblings — 5-year-old twins Hannah and Rebecca. Thankfully Sean’s employer was understanding of their situation, providing him with unpaid leave so he was able to devote his time to caring for Caitlen. Cathy, a vet nurse, wasn't so fortunate — having to give up her job altogether.
Since Caitlen was diagnosed, both parents were able to stay by her side thanks to Ronald McDonald House Auckland. Sean’s mother remained in Hamilton throughout Caitlen’s treatment, caring for Caitlen’s twin sisters and ensuring their schooling continued. Thankfully for Sean and Cathy they had a good network of friends that were able to share the load of caring for the twins and running them to school.
Due to the location of Caitlen’s brain tumor, surgery was never an option and sadly all attempts at saving Caitlen’s life had been exhausted. Having just celebrated her 7th birthday on 3rd March 2008, Caitlen was given just weeks to live.
When speaking about their time at Ronald McDonald House Auckland, Cathy says “it’s been like coming to another home. The support and care, what the staff did for us, you can’t put a price on that.” When contemplating what things would be like if such a facility had not been available to them in Auckland, Cathy says “We’d have been in trouble. Having to travel back and forth from Hamilton, one of us having to stay on the ward, it would’ve been horrendous.”
Cathy sought much comfort from being surrounded by other families in the House on a similar journey, caring for a sick child. “It’s been a godsend,” says Cathy, “it makes you feel like you’re not the only one that’s been ‘picked on’ or singled out, so you don’t take it so personally.”
Sadly, Caitlen passed away on 17th June 2008.
