23 Jan The ‘Biggest Blessing’ for the Bennett Family
“Atlanta RMHC allowed us to be able to have a Christmas,” Imaige Bennett says of Ronald’s Holiday Shop.
“We are so thankful for the people who donated to the shop,” says Dad, Sonnee.
At Imaige Bennett’s 32-week obstetrics appointment, the doctor detected a heart defect and diagnosed their son, Ja’Trill, with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Artesia. “It turned our world upside down,” Sonnee says.
The Bennetts, from Hartwell, Georgia, have been staying with us since November. Prior to Ja’Trill’s birth on November 17, his family stayed with us for several nights at our House near Scottish Rite. They then moved to our House near Egleston after Ja’Trill was born and transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Egleston.
“Atlanta RMHC has been such a blessing for our family and let us be there for our son during his procedures,” Sonnee says.
Since birth, Ja’Trill has had two operations and has remained in the hospital. He is scheduled for a reconstruction surgery soon and is expected have a lengthy recovery time requiring two more months in the hospital.
Being at Ronald McDonald House during the holidays enabled Sonnee and Imaige to spend time with their three daughters. They have won two raffles and were able to take the girls to a Falcons game and Six Flags. “The fun activities helped us take our mind off of things,” Sonnee says.
Their favorite part about the House is interacting with other families. “We are able to share joy when things are going well and have a shoulder to lean on when they are not,” Sonnee says.
“Atlanta RMHC is the biggest blessing we could ever ask for,” Sonnee says. “Everyone’s love and compassion for children and their families is remarkable.”