La Grange Family Finds Refuge at Ronald McDonald House 

Daughter's serious diagnosis leads to surgery and a stay at RMHC

AUSTIN, Texas – (February 24, 2012) – On December 20, a doctor told Tanya and Derrick Tousek of La Grange, Texas that their daughter, Blair had a birth defect called lumbar-sacral spina bifida.  Tanya was only 22 weeks pregnant when they were given the diagnosis.  As soon as Blair was born, doctors whisked her away and transferred her to Dell Children’s Medical Hospital to begin her grueling surgeries.

Faced with the trauma of not being able to hold their daughter for three days and the long commute from the hospital to their home in La Grange, the Touseks found hope and a safe place next door at the Ronald McDonald House.  Tanya shares, “We gratefully called it home during those difficult days that began Blair’s life.”

As a child, Tanya used to drop coins in the Ronald McDonald House donation boxes.  Today, she reflects that when she donated her change, “I never knew I was actually helping myself for later!”  The Touseks speak fondly of their stay at the House, from the friendliness of the volunteers to the quality of the rooms.

Over the past six years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas (RMHC Austin) has helped 81 other families like the Touseks from Fayette County alone.  The House offers families a place to sleep, meals, laundry facilities and a temporary home during their child’s hospitalization or treatment.

For more information, please visit www.rmhc-austin.org.  Here you can learn how to volunteer, donate online or find a wish list of household items for RMHC Austin.