ReeceNichols and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) are teaming up on the Gold Key Project: a volunteer program for ReeceNichols agents to support families staying at our local Ronald McDonald Houses. While RMHC-KC aims to keep families close to their sick children, ReeceNichols strives to find the perfect place for families to live in our community. When a client buys or sells a house with a Gold Key Agent, they provide a family in need with one night’s stay ($100 donation) at RMHC-KC while their child receives critical medical treatment.
When I was given the opportunity to participate as a Gold Key Agent and support one of our favorite charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, I did not hesitate to commit. My family was blessed by the Ronald McDonald Houses many times over the years during my son’s battle with epilepsy.
My son, Danny, started experiencing seizures when he was five years old. He’d have them a few times a week and to say it was heartbreaking to watch him go through that would be an understatement. We needed to do something to ease his suffering, and Ronald McDonald House Charities came to the rescue when we embarked on the journey that lasted several years.
Danny was hospitalized many times because of bad seizures. When those happened, we had dinners at the Ronald McDonald Family Room located inside Children’s Mercy Hospital. During his first brain surgery to stop his seizures, I stayed in an overnight room in the Ronald McDonald Family Room — one of seven. During those stressful times, it was such a respite to be able to get some rest but still be within steps of Danny’s hospital room.
Eventually it was determined that Danny would need a second brain surgery to stop his seizures, which meant we needed to travel to Cleveland, Ohio. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland for over a month while Danny prepared for surgery, had the procedure, was hospitalized afterward, and started the recovery process. It meant everything to us to know we could stay close to him while he fought to get better.
The other families staying at the Ronald McDonald Houses were another support system we were lucky to have. Families bond while staying at the Ronald McDonald House, providing each other with friendly, listening ears and encouragement. We still stay in contact with some of the families that were at the Ronald McDonald House with us.
Staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) while a child is receiving critical health care is such a blessing to the family. RMHC employees and volunteers make families feel as welcome and comfortable as possible, and I cannot tell you how crucial their care is to families experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions while their children are being treated.
I am happy to share that Danny’s seizures did cease after his second brain surgery. He is so much healthier now that he is seizure-free. He is a freshman in high school with good school attendance, and he loves to wrestle on his high school’s team.
Our family is forever grateful for the support and hospitality we received from the Ronald McDonald House during Danny’s life-saving brain surgeries. As a Reece Nichols Real Estate agent, I am looking forward to making a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City from every house I sell through the Gold Key Project.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Karin Shaughnessey lives in Liberty with her husband, two teenagers and two black labs. After teaching secondary high school and middle school for 17 years, Karin became a real estate agent. She’s been an agent with ReeceNichols Real Estate for five years and loves guiding people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their life. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, flower gardening and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
