Helping Children Through Ronald Mcdonald House Charities English Literature Essay

As members of society we often take for granted the opportunities that are placed before us each and every day. Since we all appear the same, act accordingly, and appear normal we are treated and accepted as equal individuals(I would not use the word “appear” twice, it becomes cliché in that sentence). However, individuals who are diagnosed with a disease or undergoing forms of treatment are judgmentally perceived(That is an over generalization). Individuals who appear ‘different,’ are among the fastest growing rates for childhood illnesses and deaths(Rewrite sentence for clarity). Through nonprofit organizations, such as, Ronald McDonald House Charities, selfless individuals whom desire to seek and serve the less fortunate are given the opportunity to provide an atmosphere of normalcy for its patients and guests who are dealing with an illness or disability. The combined efforts of countless individuals have changed the lives of children all across the world.

Statistics published in numerous medical journals have revealed the devastating impact in regards to childhood illnesses. Across the nation, cancer has been confirmed the number one cause for a disease related death among children (Rodgers 69). In 2007, approximately 10,400 children under the age of fifteen were diagnosed with cancer (“National Cancer Institute”) These are children that will never even see their own high school graduation. Oncologists have taken previous estimates to calculate the approximate number of children in 2009 that will be diagnosed cancer,theoretically speaking that number will be approximately 3,500 children(You formed this sentence describing a simple projection, in a very convoluted way). Assuming that these projected numbers will continue unchanged for years to come, less and less children will able to experience what most assume to be an ordinary future. Young people should live knowing that they have their whole lives ahead of them, but rather, a child diagnosed with cancer must cope with the agony and apprehension of death that the disease proposes, if effect sabotaging life’s course of action.

In addition to cancer related diseases that are overpowering children in society, Cerebral Palsy also plays a significant role. Cerebral Palsy takes shape in nearly 10,000 babies per year in the United States. This ratio can seem minimal, considering how many children are in the United States, however this can come to represent that every two in three children per 1,000 will develop the disease(“two in three per 1000” ??? huh? That makes no sense, need to fix). Children that live healthy lives are costly, considering that they require endless essentials such as, food, clothing, and school supplies, and other miscellaneous items. Imagining the expenditure for a child with a disability and to accommodate their needs is almost unreal. Accommodating for a child with Cerebral Palsy can lead to a lifetime cost of near million dollars. In these harsh economical times, parents can be hindered from providing their children the nessecities of a decent life. Parents and children alike need an environment where they can live happily, and healthily.

Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake can reduce the costs associated with a disability, and provide one life changing week for a child. With a payment of two hundred dollars per child, one can participate in five program areas consisting of: arts and crafts, outdoor education, sports, waterfront, and drama which enable campers to do things that may not be possible to accomplish on an everyday basis (Flaig, Vicky 1). In addition to the recreational activities, meals and housing (cabins) are also included.

Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake also provides assiduousness(Try to find alternate word) and compassion for many other disabilities. Among the eight weeks that the camp is staffed it serves different age groups and a variety of disabilities. During four of the eight weeks the camp provides for individuals with Down’s syndrome. The camp is not specific toward any particular age groups because there are such a wide range of individuals with disabilities. If one was to predict that Down’s syndrome were to occur in one of eight hundred births then the break down would thus yield: 340,000 per year, 28,333 per month, 6,538 per week, 931 per day, and 38 per hour that would be impacted with Cerebral Palsy (Rynders 88). Children that are faced with this particular disorder also endeavor a higher risk of inhabiting additional illnesses, some of which include: heart disease, gastrointestinal conditions, respiratory disorders, eye problems, endocrine disorders, and neurological problems (Rynders 63-70). With such large estimates, it is essential that places like Camp Ronald McDonald provide a positive atmosphere for less fortunate individuals. Disorders and diseases are not so uncommon but because of their familiarity to some they have led to the creation of innovative environments.(I’m not sure that fits in the paragraph…)

Visionary creations no matter the size are greatly appreciated.

A wise man once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Ghandi had a vision to inspire the world to achieve greatness through making changes that would mean something powerful to themselves. People that are continuously making changes in the world and impacting the lives of the people all around them are charities. One story in particular tells of a father who was an advent runner whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately his daughter was taken by the disease while she and her family were staying in the Ronald McDonald House. Her father ran over two thousand miles, from Main to Florida, to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House (“Ronald McDonald House Charities”). Although, his daughter eventually lost the battle with cancer, he was greatly impacted by the fact that the Ronald McDonald House would essentially give him a home to live in and be near his daughter during her last days.

People have described the Ronald McDonald House as “A home away from home.” The Ronald McDonald House does not require a payment but asks for a five dollar donation a day. A person who stays at the house receives a room, meals, activities, and laundry services for as long as they may need to stay at the house. Tommy is not the only individual who has been impacted by the charity. Other individuals such as Joseph Krupski have had remarkable experiences at the camp too. Joseph was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia which required him to have multiple bone marrow transplants. As a young boy, Joseph was terrified by the road that was ahead of him. ‘Jerry’ an on site the golden labradoodle (Labrador and poodle mix) that was stationed at the house where Joseph stayed. Jerry’s wagging tail and congenial facial expressions always seemed to calm Joseph and uplift his spirits before undergoing both of his bone marrow transplants. Joseph and his family like to think that it was Jerry’s presence that led him to be fully recovered today (“Ronald McDonald House Charities”). These are not the only stories that are being told about the impact that Ronald McDonald House Charities has had on people and their families, but these are stories that will become legacies because they will never be forgotten. They will continue to be an inspiration for those seeking help for their children struggling with illnesses. One charity can change the world, and can help others to become inspired to also make a difference.

Ronald McDonald House was inspired by a milkshake and a girl named Kim who was undergoing treatments for leukemia. The first house was opened in 1974 in Philadelphia, thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans and Philadelphia Eagles’ player Fred Hill (Kim’s Father). The Eagle’s general manager Jim Murray and the McDonald’s regional manager, Ed Rensi had a helping hand in making this home become a living reality (“Ronald McDonald House Charities”). Through profits from the McDonald’s milkshakes, the house was opened so that Kim’s father Fred hill could have a comforting place to stay while his daughter was receiving treatment for Leukemia at a nearby children’s hospital. The house became a rapid expansion for other families to stay while their children were receiving treatment for various conditions. Throughout the years, one person’s vision has become a home to many individuals in their time of need.

Once a charity uprooted it often sparks ideas for new services and other accommodations. Among some of these new adaptations created by Ronald McDonald House Charities, is something this is one of the two in the entire world, Camp Ronald McDonald [at Eagle Lake](sentence makes little coherent sense). Throughout the course of eight weeks children and adults with developmental disabilities, that have been sexually abused, have Muscular Dystrophy, are deaf, have Down’s syndrome, or Autism, and Cerebral Palsy are served (“Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake”). Disabilities are not limited, so camps need to be accessible for a wide range of disabilities to help give everyone an equal chance to attend. Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake has a vision to, “Provide confidence-building experiences and programs that are designed to support each camper’s individuality through the challenges of outdoor group living and teamwork in a supportive environment” (Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake and Ronald McDonald House Charities). Within this vision there is a mission to break down any barriers that are present, experience activities that any ‘normal’ individual would get to be involved with, and have a week of no worries at all.

A contributing factor for providing an environment specific to particular individuals is understanding their needs and characteristics. According to Careers in Child Care by Mary Kruhm, “One must be willing to treat all children equally. All children have needs. All children have strengths. The strengths and needs of some children are more easily seen than those of others. A child care worker’s job is to build on each child’s strengths while helping him or her with their needs.” Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake understands that the needs and strengths of a disabled person are different than those of a high functioning individual, but should not be displayed like they are different. Therefore, camp allows the participants to do and accomplish anything that an able person would be able to do at camp. This is a unique place in which children begin to say “I can,” while enjoying all the elements that Mother Nature has to offer (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California). In addition EDGE(which is?) parents described in Rynder’s(which is?) piece explain that children with Down’s syndrome “Have a sustainable capacity for increasing active participation if we can facilitate it somehow.” Camp Ronald McDonald makes it possible for an increase in activity to be accomplished by providing an environment that can promote an active lifestyle. Camp Ronald McDonald makes a difference in the lives of every individual that undergoes the program because they give them what they destine for, a life of normalcy.

Although Ronald McDonald House Charities does provide for many individuals, there are many other organizations that promotes for the stead fast effort to aid children with aliments. A group promoting a compliant place for children with cancer is the Wall Gang Camp located in Connecticut. The camp is not limited to only children with cancer but also those with other blood diseases. The camp was named for the gang that was made famous in the 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, featured with Paul Neman and Robert Redford. The camp was founded through use of profits from the sales of products derived from Paul Newman’s own personal recipes. The camp is positioned on three hundred acres and is a sports and recreation center for young people. Since this is a nonprofit organization, the children are supervised by volunteer doctors, nurses, and the chief pediatrician at Yale New Haven Hospital (Rodgers 76). Cancer is a destructive disease that causes many children to conjure up thoughts of the worst possible outcomes.. Recreational exhibits such as the Wall Gang Camp can relieve a child of their worst fears.

In addition to recreational facilities supplementary facilities are providing for children by making other services available. One facility in particular has made available

emotional guidance and opportunities to talk out the emotional downfall associated with cancer patients, as well as, shield the legal rights of cancer patients and survivors. In particular, the New England Medical Center’s Floating hospital for children has a program designated for brothers, sisters, and other family members of cancer patients to help relieve them of any anxiety, loneliness, and anger that is felt over the attention that they feel their sick siblings are receiving. In addition to providing counseling, the hospital invites the brothers and sisters of young cancer patients to witness the treatments their siblings are enduring on a stimulus teddy bear (Rodgers 77). Helping children understand what their family members are going through allows them to accept that it is necessary for them to receive additional attention in order to cure them of the disease that is rapidly taking over their body. Medical centers specifically formatted for children with illnesses often lead to the acceptance of what is happening with their changing bodies.

Unlike other organizations, nonprofit organizations have to be self sufficient to provide for members in the community. Such organizations have to be primarily funded through grants or monetary donations. Generally nonprofit organizations count on donations from large corporations. Organizations that have multiple branches or additional areas within their charities such as Ronald McDonald House Charities, are in need of volunteers which fulfill a large role to helping their charity run successfully. For example, Camp Ronald McDonald uses volunteers to help with meals, activities, as counselors in the cabins, and in program areas. Ronald McDonald House Charities also relies on volunteers to cook the meals for the guests, host on-site events, office assistants, house assistants, and such (Flaig, Vicky 2). Nonprofit organizations also understand that without others generosity, their contributions of zeal to society would not be possible. Ronald McDonald House has awarded over one million dollars in grants to organizations and programs over the last several years.

An occurrence often sparks an idea for change or to create something new for the greater good of humanity. Charities become charities because of things such as high statistic rates, economical increases, and to provide equality for disabled individuals. Reflecting back on the high statistics of children between the ages of zero and fifteen that are diagnosed with leukemia, or are faced with the challenges of Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy, it is evident that it is of keen importance to have facilities for children to attend that make them feel like they are living the lives just as any other individual in the world would be able to do.

Although, individuals are different by looks we are still all humans equally hoping for a prosperous life, those with mental and physical disabilities should not be rejected by society nor should they be thought of as the lesser equal because they act differently than others may. Charities do not use harsh words, or unfair judgment to view individuals in society, but rather honesty and acceptance to provide for those who are not being provided for. It is because of charities like Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Wall Gang Camp that understand that the disabled make up a large percentage of our population and that they must have an environment where physical and mental barriers are removed, and acceptance is found.

Overall it was a great paper, I tried not correct too much. I wanted it to still be you, and not turn into me telling the story…

Everything that is red, is what I added, but the phrases inside the parenthesis are merely suggestions… Good luck, and you’ll do great!!!