Brittany's Story

Brittany Nicole Johnson (pictured with big sister Becca) is her parent’s most treasured surprise. She was born premature at 23 weeks weighing one pound, five ounces.  Parents, Chad and Keena Johnson were overjoyed to welcome their new bundle of joy after suffering several miscarriages. However, Brittany’s position during birth and her weight prompted doctors to advise the couple that their baby daughter would not cry or make movements normal for most babies at birth, but Brittany proved them wrong and surprised everyone as her mom recalls Brittany “ letting out a loud cry” during her first exam.

Even with this milestone, the Johnson’s understood that it would be quite some time before they could take their baby girl home.  Chad and Keena chose Ronald McDonald House as their “home away from home” during Brittany’s 4 ½ month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital. 

Having access to Ronald McDonald House allowed the Johnson’s to maintain as much of their family’s routine as possible and still remain close by to Brittany. Chad worked full time and juggled the role of caretaker for his eight-year old stepdaughter, Becca, while Keena spent her days at the hospital with Brittany.

The Johnson’s share that among their favorite memories were having dinners together as a family at the “House.”  “It was the time we sat down together as a family,” said Chad. “You smelled the food when you walked through the door.”  The daily hot meals for families at Ronald McDonald House provided by individuals, organizations and community groups, are a special comfort for many families during the medical crises of their children.