When Ebony went into labor at just 23 weeks, she and her partner Alaya were thrust into a world of uncertainty. Their son, Asai, was born weighing only one pound—a micro-preemie with a long and difficult medical journey ahead. Diagnosed with BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), a serious lung condition common in premature infants, Asai would need months of intensive care.
With no family nearby and their home more than an hour away from Texas Children’s Hospital, Ebony and Alaya found themselves far from the comfort of familiarity. Thankfully, they were able to stay close to Asai through the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) program, inside the hospital itself. They were among the first families to stay in the long-stay rooms that became available in mid-2025. Prior to the long-stay rooms, caregivers were required to check out of their room each morning and check in each evening.
“It’s a blessing to be close to our baby,” says Ebony, who spends most of her time by Asai’s side in the NICU, while Alaya commutes back and forth to work as a barber and hairstylist.
Even in the midst of stress and worry, Alaya and Ebony quickly discovered a sense of belonging within the RMHC community. Inspired to give back, Alaya began offering free haircuts to other families staying at the House.
“I wanted to do something for the dads,” Alaya explains. “A lot of them feel guilty doing things for themselves—like getting a haircut—while their babies are fighting to survive, and their partners are stuck in the hospital room. But self-care matters. Even something as simple as a haircut can really lift your spirits.”
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Dads welcomed the opportunity to feel a little more like themselves again, if only for a few moments.
For Ebony and Alaya, Ronald McDonald House has become more than just a place to sleep. It has become their community and their support system.
“It really feels like home,” says Ebony. “Now, when we say we’re going home, we mean we’re going back to our room at the Ronald McDonald House.”
They expect to remain at Texas Children’s Hospital until at least June—Asai’s original due date—grateful every day for the comfort, care, and connection they’ve found at RMHC.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston has 19 private bedrooms inside Texas Children’s Hospital, serving families with children in neonatal, pediatric and cardiovascular intensive care. Caregivers can stay just steps away from their child when it matters most.