Common Ground

Over the past few weeks, I've had family and friends ask me about my involvement in the Ronald McDonald Houses. They cannot understand why I would choose to fill up even more open spaces on my already-full calendar. To them, it may not be an easy answer. For me, however, there is no answer that has ever been easier—we could be a RMHC family.

My boys have Asperger's Syndrome. If you're not familiar, Asperger's is on the autism spectrum. My boys are high functioning. They do everything that other seven and four-year-old kids do except interact well with those other kids, understand social cues, or cope with loud sounds. My kids are quirky. We've had doctors use the term “idiosyncrasies.” But that's an awfully big word for little boys. Besides, food on a plate that can't touch or only eating blue M&M's is quirky not peculiar.

Although we sometimes laugh about our situation or make light-hearted comments, we also know where we've come from on this journey. It has not always been an easy topic for us. We have invested hours into therapies and doctor's appointments. We have chosen to homeschool our kids since it is better for their sensory needs. We have driven hundreds of miles for the best possible answers. We have been kicked, punched, slapped, and pinched during meltdowns. We have left entire carts of groceries in the last aisle of a store when one of our boys has had enough sounds. We are guarded, aware, and cautious when we leave home. And we have cried, screamed, been unaccepting, and terrified in the doctor's office.

I know what it's like to be a RMHC parent. I have been where many of them are when they come to us. I have pushed and pulled my way through the medical terms, prognosis,and jargon. I have asked unanswered questions. I have waited for hours to see specialists, and I have hugged my children who were scared and unsure. I have reassured them and kissed foreheads. I have done the same things that many of our parents do on a daily basis. And I do it, for the same reasons that many of our families do it—I love my kiddos. They're isn't a better reason, and it's never easy. It's just what you do.


Jamie Martinson
House Manager