15 Oct More Than a Stay: How the Akron House Supported LJ and Itarah
Since 2022, Itarah Godbolt and her four-year-old son, LJ, have been making frequent visits from their home in Trumbull County to Akron, Ohio for medical appointments. Planning overnight trips with any young child can be daunting, but LJ has autism and his related special needs present some unique challenges when it comes to traveling and being away from home.
Itarah was anxious about making hotel arrangements, requesting special accommodations, and finding ways to entertain a busy toddler. She was relieved to learn they would be able to stay at the Akron Ronald McDonald House, and felt even more relief once they arrived.
As soon as we walked in the door it felt like we were in a safe place. For a moment, I could just breathe. I didn’t have to think about dinner or where we would wash our clothes, all I had to focus on was our time at the hospital.
The Akron Ronald McDonald House provides everything families need to feel at home, free of charge. Comfortable rooms, meals and snacks, laundry facilities and parking are all taken care of, relieving a huge financial burden and allowing families to access the care their children need regardless of where they live. Inviting common spaces to relax, dine and play foster a sense of community and volunteers pay special attention to tend to guests’ needs, helping kids like LJ fit right in.
“The families that come here are dealing a lot of challenges and uncertainty, our staff and volunteers just want to help make the hard things easier,” said Rickie Magyarics, Volunteer Coordinator at the Akron Ronald McDonald House. “People need a lot of the same things, but when they need something different we do our best to accommodate them.”
Itarah came up with a system to communicate some of LJ’s needs with the staff and the other families around them. She placed signs on their door to let people know that there might be some extra noise coming from their room from time to time, and to request that anyone who needed to speak with them use a soft knock or send a text message since a loud knock can startle LJ.
The signs were very helpful. If something so simple can help someone feel a little more at ease, then we want to know that.
Beyond meeting their basic needs, Itarah found something even more valuable during their stays at the Akron Ronald McDonald House— a community. “I didn’t feel like we had to hide in our room or that I had to keep LJ quiet and isolated” she said. “Everyone there is going through something, and so we all just get it. That commonality made it feel safe, and made the shared spaces feel like a ‘melting pot of families.’”
LJ Playing with interactive table donated by McDonald’s
For LJ, the House became a place where he could simply be a child. He delighted in playing with his favorite interactive table and enjoyed socializing with new friends. In this space, LJ could be his true self—free to explore, play, and grow in a supportive environment.
Itarah found more than just a place to stay—she found relief, support, and a sense of community during a challenging time. The House provided the stability she needed to focus on LJ’s care, giving her peace of mind knowing she didn’t have to worry about meals, laundry, or accommodations. With the help of the Akron Ronald McDonald House, families like Itarah’s can access vital medical care without the added stress of finding a safe, comfortable place to stay—allowing them to concentrate on what matters most: their child’s health and happiness.