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When Michael and Monique O’Grady were making plans to have a baby, they never predicted that Monique would go into labor 11 weeks early.

 

“We were in shock when Monique went into early labor,” stated Michael. “We had planned for her birth for more than three years, but there is no way we could have planned for this.”

 

Monique was in labor for more than 11 hours before giving birth to their daughter. Madelyn O’Grady was born February 27 weighing just 2 pounds and 14 ounces.

 

“We knew right away that she was a fighter,” explained Michael. “Her heart never skipped a beat even through a very difficult labor.”

 

Because of Madelyn’s size and condition, within an hour after her birth she was flown from Pendleton to Portland’s Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Her parents quickly followed her, driving more than 200 miles in the middle of the night.

 

“We felt helpless,” stated Monique. “I didn’t really even get a chance to see her and she wasn’t breathing on her own. It was a frightening experience and there was nothing we could do. We were hopeful because we knew she was in good hands.”

 

After arriving at the hospital exhausted and worried, they looked into getting a room at the Ronald McDonald House located near the hospital.

 

“We knew we could stay at the Ronald McDonald House because we had a relative stay there when their child was in the hospital for a month,” stated Michael. “They didn’t have a room available for us that night, so we ended up sleeping in the NICU near Madelyn.”

 

“The next day we checked into the Ronald McDonald House,” explained Michael. “As soon as we walked through the doors of the house, we knew that this portion of our journey was taken care of. We instantly found an accepting, kind and supportive family atmosphere that we desperately needed. Between the beautiful rooms, the volunteers who prepare meals and the wonderful people, they anticipated everything we need. The best part is that we are only six minutes walking distance from our room to our daughter’s room at the hospital. Until you experience staying here, it’s hard to appreciate what this place offers families like ours. We can’t imagine returning to Portland and not wanting to bring something for the house that will help other families.”

 

Michael and Monique began the hectic daily ritual of arriving at the hospital by 8 am to feed and care for her.

 

“We change her diapers, talk to her, and hold her when we are allowed,” explained Michael. “Simple tasks such as changing a diaper are a team effort...like a dance really, between us. We will receive eight weeks of instruction on how to take care of a baby that most parents never get. The nurses do an outstanding job teaching us everything we need to know.”

 

“With each day that passes, we hope for good news about our daughter,” stated Michael. “As we get into a rhythm, everything seems to be falling into place. At the Ronald McDonald House we get to talk to other people in our same situation. Some have been here a month or more and it’s encouraging to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”