The Tata Family, Tauranga
One of our longest stay Bay of Plenty families has been the Tatas from Tauranga. Mum Ronnie first came to Ronald McDonald House Auckland in July 2006, when her baby daughter General-Lee was admitted to Starship at just 6 days old with a heart and liver condition. Having undergone heart surgery at only a matter of weeks old, General-Lee spent much of her time in Starship while her family stayed at the House.
To add to an already stressful situation, Ronnie’s second child Java, 6 years, was admitted to Starship with a head injury shortly after in January 2007 following a trampoline accident. A single Mum, Ronnie had to rely on her father Ron to be the primary caregiver of General-Lee while she remained constantly by Java’s hospital bedside at Starship. Ronnie, her father Ron and his wife Hariata and Ronnie’s other three children have travelled back and forth countless times from Tauranga to Ronald McDonald House Auckland since Java’s accident.
Sadly, General Lee’s health became very fragile and she passed away on 12th April 2008 at just 18 months old. Meanwhile Ronnie’s son Java, now 7, continues his long road to recovery.
To date the Tatas have made Ronald McDonald House Auckland their ‘home away from home’ for 343 nights. When asked what the House has meant to her family, Mum Ronnie says “Being able to stay here with my family has been a huge load off my shoulders. I have met some great people, all going through a difficult time with a sick child. Having them to talk to has definitely helped make this whole experience a little less stressful. The House also gives me some much needed time out from long days up at the hospital.”
