19 Apr Family Update: Scarlett Wallace
When Jill Wallace was 32 weeks pregnant, she and her husband Scott Wallace found out their daughter Scarlett would have medical challenges. When she arrived six weeks later, the Wallaces stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for 28 days in 2014 while Scarlett was in the NICU. “We spent Scarlett’s first Christmas at the House,” says Jill. Six months later Scarlett was life-flighted to the hospital. Jill and Scott called on the House again, staying for 29 more days.
For Scarlett’s first birthday, the Wallaces decided it was time to “pay it forward” and give back to the Ronald McDonald House. What started out as a small gathering of loved ones turned into a party for 75 people, with a full buffet and bartender serving drinks. They asked friends to bring donations for RMH. Just before Christmas 2015, Jill and Scott delivered three SUVs full of presents for the families at the House and $500 in gift cards.
Happily Scarlett has not been hospitalized since her June 2015 stay in the PICU. Although the Wallaces have not needed the services of the Ronald McDonald House, they continue to give back to the organization that kept them close to their daughter when she needed them most.
Jill had a great time with her friends at Wine Women & Shoes, one of RMH’s signature events. Scott’s company, CSA Group, has adopted RMH as a favored charity. Between donations, services, and wish list drives, CSA Group gifts over the past year and a half have exceeded $25,000. Even Jill’s mother has pitched in to help RMH. She received a grant from her employer in Elyria on behalf of RMH to pay for family services at the House and in the Family Rooms.
Scarlett turned two years old in December. She has severe epilepsy, needs a feeding tube, and looks like a nine-month-old. But Jill assures us Scarlett is a champ.
Scarlett’s daily seizures had really worn her down. She’s started taking vitamin B6, and it seems to be helping. Now she’s kicking her legs and making noises again. We even attend weekly swim therapy.
They’re hopeful that a new treatment of daily steroid injections will help control the seizures.
The Wallaces are forever grateful to the Ronald McDonald House. “I still have all the gifts we received when we stayed at the House. Scarlett loves her special blanket and toys, and I use the bows little girls at the House made for her.”
You can read more about Scarlett’s progress on her Facebook page.