I
“It’s rare to hear people speak about joy in a place that
much of it to die. Doctors said she wouldn’t live past the
deals with such heavy issues. Ryan House is something
first two weeks, let alone delivery. I was told to pick a day
beyond what you can ever really describe.”
to end the pregnancy. That was very difficult. Most women, upon hearing such news, eventually choose to terminate
For over five years, Ryan House has served the Phoenix
the pregnancy. I just couldn’t do it. I chose to ride it out. I
community as a unique care provider for children with
thought it could be the greatest two weeks of my life with
life-limiting or terminal conditions. One of only two
her. I am so blessed to say that now we’ve spent eight
organizations of its kind in the United States, Ryan House
wonderful, miraculous years with her!”
provides critical care to children and their families at no
cost in a warm and loving environment. Relying fully on
Fatima’s older brother Jaad spoke so highly of his sister.
the kindness and support of donors and sponsors, families
He is 16 and they are best of friends. “She has a very
of children with critical needs have one less burden when
limited vocabulary, but my name was one of the first
it comes to providing the best care possible for their
words she said. I teach her how to make noises and sing.
babies.
She’ll bob her head to rhythms. She loves to blow kisses. Being the only man in the house, I had to step up and
Ryan House offers various types of care, including
mature faster than many of my friends. Fatima is the most
pediatric respite, palliative, therapeutic and end-of-
caring kid you’ll ever come across, even though she can’t
life services. Ryan House is focused on enhancing the
express it the same way you and I do.”
children’s quality of life, relieving suffering and fears,
as well as providing grief and bereavement support to
Because Fatima requires around-the-clock assistance,
families.
Michelle was introduced to Ryan House as a means of easing her responsibilities as Fatima’s constant caretaker.
While Ryan House has cared for hundreds of children over
the years, they can only serve a maximum of nine children
“At Ryan House, the staff enjoys her like we enjoy her.
at a time. The number of impacted families seems large,
She is not a burden,” Michelle shared. “It is truly a
but there are still hundreds more who are not fortunate
magical place. My daughter loves being there. It’s like a
enough to receive Ryan House care, and there is always
vacation for her and a much needed break for me, as a
an extensive waitlist for the facility.
single mom. Ryan House is like gold. Everything is taken care of.”
Fatima Faye is among the few currently being cared for
by Ryan House. She has cerebral palsy. Born with a rare
Ryan House is like a disguised hospital for children. There
brain abnormality, half of her brain was removed when she
are registered nurses and caretakers at the facility and all
was only a day old.
required medical needs are provided, while at the same time, the facility looks like a home. Every wall is painted
“She has a neural tube disorder and is mostly paralyzed
with bright colors and patterns to depict a children’s
from the neck down. She’s visually impaired and requires
camp. Each child’s bedroom is named as a camp cabin:
special assistance for everything in life,” says Fatima’s
Camp Fire Cabin, Once Upon A Time Cabin, and more.
mother, Michelle Dumay. “I knew during my pregnancy
There’s a spacious family room and family-style kitchen,
that she would have many special needs if carried to full
an outdoor playground, and a special bathtub to offer a
term. There was an opening in the back of her skull that
spa-like experience.
allowed a huge portion of her brain to develop on the
outside of the skull. When forming, the plates didn’t close
Ryan House believes it is important to provide a fun
and the brain became exposed to amniotic fluids, causing
atmosphere so that each child can still enjoy being a child
Sep tember 2015
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