Just two years ago Juicy Page was a healthy, active teenager who had a passion for dancing. That all changed in February of 2023 when she began to experience vomiting. Concerned when her symptoms didn’t subside, her family took her to the hospital where she was then admitted. Just two days later, her speech became impaired; she was experiencing difficulty walking and balancing issues- resembling symptoms of a stroke.
When additional testing revealed swelling on her cerebellum, she was airlifted to Egleston Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was placed on a ventilator for 24 hours and had a central line inserted for treatments. She was transferred from the ICU to a regular room a week later and then was later transferred to Scottish Rite Hospital for ongoing physical therapy and specialized care. On May 8th, after staying at five different hospitals and having relearned how to walk and speak, she was discharged, and her and her family stayed at the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House for nearly four months during her outpatient therapy.
While staying at the House, Juicy became friends with Taylor Sutton, who is around the same age as Juicy and had also suffered a brain injury. Taylor and Juicy began sharing meals together in the House dining room along with participating in Bingo activity nights. Their friendship offered mutual support and reassurance, as they were facing similar challenges at similar times in their lives. Juicy’s mom says, “Seeing another young woman facing similar difficulties helped Juicy realize she wasn’t alone. Although they both had the support and love of their families, having someone who firsthand understands the transition from a typical adolescence to navigating numerous obstacles provides a unique and meaningful connection.”
Not only does Atlanta Ronald McDonald House keep families close, but also helps sick or injured children build friendships with others who are facing similar challenges. Having someone to connect with, whether that’s sharing a meal together, participating in a fun activity night, or having a shoulder to cry on makes difficult moments just a little bit easier. Kaneka says that “ARMHC provided us with a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. It felt like a second home- offering support, kindness, and a sense of community without judgment or unfamiliarity”.
