Meet Sara Tedesco - Aspiring Attorney

Sara is barely four months old but already she's “taken the bar exam” and passed--- thanks to her mom Daniele of course.    

Daniele Tedesco was six months pregnant with her daughter Sara when she took the bar exam and passed it and throughout her preparation for the test Sara was right there with her.  Sara was born weighing just under five pounds on May 22, 2009. Shortly after her birth, doctors discovered serious complications with Sara’s esophagus and stomach which caused her to be transferred quickly from her hometown hospital in Rome, Georgia to Chattanooga.  Sara’s parents, Daniele and David Tedesco were grateful to have the Ronald McDonald House as their “home away from home” during the 5 ½ weeks that Sara was in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“When you’re so tired, food is the last thing on your mind,” says Daniele Tedesco.

Daniele recalls that the daily hot meals prepared by volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, was a tremendous benefit for her as a new mom, because her energy and focus were entirely on helping Sara get well.

The Tedescos say among their most treasured moments were being able to stay close to Sara while meeting others who truly understood what they were going through.

“Family and friends they can sympathize but not empathize,” she says.

During their time at Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House, Daniele’s Mom, Yvette stayed with her daughter on most days while Daniele’s husband David commuted back and forth to work in Rome, Georgia.  The Tedescos say the staff and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House has become part of their family.  On many occasions Yvette spent her mornings volunteering in the House kitchen and preparing sandwiches for the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Daniele Tedesco recently stopped by the Ronald McDonald House with baby Sara and her mom Yvette to say hello to the staff and volunteers.  When she walked into the Great Room where families gather to eat their daily meals, she became teary-eyed recalling as if it were just yesterday how this place had been a source of comfort and hope during a very scary time for her family.  

Sara is now four months old and is doing great. Daniele says Sara splits her time between hanging out with her at her new law practice and spending days with grandma or their babysitter.