A MOTHER whose baby son has undergone months of hospital treatment for a serious heart condition has told of the severe economic impact of having a seriously ill child.
Jodie Cameron and her partner Tom Braund, from Dulverton, have experienced "immense" financial pressures as baby Ewan has had two major heart surgeries in Bristol.
During that time, Jodie stayed free at Ronald McDonald House Bristol, but Tom, a farmer, struggled to get time to be with her and Ewan, now 14-months-old.
Jodie, a front of house at Norton Manor Camp, said: "Tom had to travel back and forth, which is a 172-mile round trip.
"My maternity leave ended in December, but I couldn’t go back to work because Ewan was still in hospital and I’m now his full-time carer.
“Tom’s wage just about covers essential bills, but it’s been a struggle to keep up with mortgage repayments and we’ve worried about the possibility of losing our house.
"Without the Ronald McDonald House, I don’t know how we would’ve coped.
"With the rising cost of fuel, having a room at the house made it more affordable for Tom to come and stay on special days.”
She added: "I want to go back to work eventually, but Ewan is still fed through a nasogastric tube, so that really isn’t possible now.
“We’ve received some help from an emergency fund grant...but things are still tight.
"When you’ve got a sick child in hospital, you’re constantly worried about the money situation, while also worrying about your poorly baby.”
Jodie was speaking after a Ronald McDonald House Charities UK survey of families who'd stayed in one of its houses showed an increase in families struggling financially.
The results showed families skipping meals to help make ends meet, going cold to avoid using heating at home, asking family and friend to borrow money and cutting back on non-essentials.
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK chief executive Ella Joseph said: “We know that life costs more if your child is being treated in hospital, particularly when that treatment isn't close to home.
“But what’s also become evident is that these families are being hit particularly hard during the worst cost-of-living crisis in years.
“Whilst we can offer our families free accommodation, that doesn’t alleviate all the financial pressures from their family home.
"While they establish a temporary home with us, they may be paying rent or a mortgage and other household bills and have other children to care for."
*Donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK HERE.
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