26 Aug Friendship is Found at our House

Ashley Grace, or “AG” as her family and friends call her, survived a stroke in 2007 when she was 6 months old. As a result of her stroke, “AG” suffers from cerebral palsy and dystonia – a neurological movement disorder syndrome.  In 2015, Ashley Grace was referred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite for treatment. During her Day Rehabilitation sessions, Ashley Grace received physical therapy and participated in the Robotics program.

Not only is our House near Scottish Rite a “home-away-from-home” for Ashley Grace and her family, but it’s a place where she can make friends and met other children who are receiving similar treatments. Earlier this year Ashley Grace became close friends with another little girl at our House named Lily.

During their time at our House, the girls would meet up before dinner every evening and they would enjoy each others company by playing games and drawing in their sketch books. Ashley Grace and Lily still keep in touch through social media, letters and video chats. Lily and her grandparents even came to visit Ashley Grace before she finished her treatment sessions earlier this month.

“We’ve been blessed to stay at the Ronald McDonald House while Ashley Grace has been receiving intense occupational and physical therapy. She loves craft activities and all of the yummy food but her favorite thing about staying at the House is being around kids just like her facing similar challenges.”
– Tabetha Hicklin, Ashley Grace’s mom