The Nevin Family

Shannon and Andy Nevin were eager for the arrival of their twins in the fall of 2010. When David Austin and Andrew Fitzgerald were born at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y., on Oct. 28, 2010, David experienced serious medical complications including a small hole in his heart and a large omphalocele, which is a defect of the abdominal wall that caused him to be born with his liver on the outside of his body. Because of these complications, David endured four surgeries and remained in the hospital for 64 days.

The Nevin family, from Watertown, N.Y., wanted to stay as close as possible to David while he was in the hospital. Shannon began staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Nov. 1 with her 2-year-old son, Samuel, and her newborn, Andrew. Shannon’s aunt stayed with her for the first four weeks and her husband stayed as often as his work schedule permitted.

Shannon’s main focus after the twins were born was to keep her family together and the CNY Ronald McDonald House allowed her to do that. Since the House is close to the hospital, Shannon was able to balance her time between the hospital with David and at the House with her other two boys. The unconditional support that Samuel and Andrew received from the Ronald McDonald House staff and volunteers made Shannon feel more at ease when she spent time by David’s bedside instead of with her other children.

The Nevins called the Ronald McDonald House “home” for a total of 56 days. “Being so far from home, it was a blessing to feel so welcome at the CNY Ronald McDonald House,” said Shannon Nevin.

David and Andrew Nevin are now healthy boys. Shannon and Andy are grateful for the meals, kind words and support that their family received from Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY.