Janet and Ally have been 8 ½ year old Oscar’s foster carers since he was 15 months old. In August last year, they adopted him and are all now ‘the Tanner’s’.
The Tanner's have been using the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Gosford since Oscar was 17 months old. Oscar has Cerebral Palsy (level 5) as well as a seizure disorder and is coming up for his third hip replacement. The family have spent time in and out of hospital and are extremely grateful to be able to take a break from Oscar’s hospital bedside to unwind in the Family Room.
Oscar gets quite bored on the ward and enjoys playing with the toys in the Family Room, while Janet and Ally get to grab a cup of coffee and relax. It’s the simple things that make all the difference; like being able to make a cheese and tomato toastie!
“Without the Family Room, Oscar’s time in hospital would have been financially impossible. We save around $10-15 on every meal we’re able to make in the Family Room, which is a lifesaver. We also love having the social interaction with the volunteers, who have supported our family since Oscar was a baby and other families,” says Ally.
Oscar has come a long way. While being non-verbal, he is now in school and in-line intellectually with his peers. Now that Oscar is older and interested in other things, the Tanner’s are also looking forward to a holiday at the Ronald McDonald House Family Retreat in 2023.
Click here for more information about our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW.
