For years, John Ng has cared for children as a pediatric oncology pharmacist in Jacksonville, Florida, often referring families to the Ronald McDonald House there. He understood its importance professionally—but never imagined his own family would one day rely on it.
His son, Ezra was a healthy, active 8-year-old when everything changed in March 2024. One evening, Ezra complained of a severe headache – something so unusual that his parents rushed him to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. On the way, Ezra lost consciousness. That quick decision to seek care likely saved his life.
Doctors discovered that Ezra had an undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in his brain that had ruptured, causing a massive stroke. He underwent emergency brain surgery and spent four weeks in a coma in the pediatric intensive care unit, followed by additional weeks in step-down care and another surgery. The stroke left him with significant challenges, including loss of speech, weakness in his right hand, and difficulty walking.
Over the next year, Ezra’s life became a cycle of hospital stays, surgeries, and intensive rehabilitation as he worked to regain as much function as possible.
Two years later, a new opportunity brought the family to Houston. Ezra was connected with the Pediatric Stroke Team in University of Texas to be part of a clinical study. With it came another unknown: traveling to a new city with a child who now had medical challenges.
“When you are a medical parent, it’s always challenging to go somewhere new,” John shared. “You worry about accessibility, about how your child will be treated.”
That uncertainty vanished when they arrived at Ronald McDonald House on Holcombe Boulevard, just minutes from the Texas Medical Center.
“At Ronald McDonald House, everyone fits in,” John said. “It’s like one big family. No one feels out of place.”
During their two-week stay, Holcombe House became more than just a place to sleep – it became a source of comfort, connection, and relief. With meals, transportation support, and daily logistics taken care of, Ezra’s family could focus entirely on his care and recovery.
Each day, Ezra spent hours in therapy at the study site. But in the evenings, he got to just be a kid again – playing video games, making crafts, singing karaoke, and laughing with other children who were bravely facing their own medical journeys.
For his parents, the House offered something equally powerful: community. Families from around the world gathered around shared meals, exchanging stories, encouragement, and hope.
“In the daytime, they are patients,” John said. “But in the evening, they get to be kids again.”
Ezra’s story is a powerful reminder that no family expects to need a place like Ronald McDonald House – but when the unthinkable happens, it becomes exactly what they need: a place to rest, to heal, and to feel less alone.