10 Feb The Ohle Family: a Story of Strength and Support
Katie and Anna were excited to hear that their family would be growing when they went to their ultrasound and found THREE babies. They understood that with having triplets, there would be highs and lows throughout their journey.
“We found out we were pregnant with triplets during our first ultrasound,” Anna shared. “It was a shock, but we were hopeful and prepared for a high-risk pregnancy.” Their goal was to make it to 32 weeks, but complications arose. At 26 weeks and four days, Anna developed severe preeclampsia, leading to an emergency delivery.
Their three babies, Bennett, Sullivan, and Charlotte, were born prematurely. Bennett and Sullivan weighed 2 pounds, 9 ounces each, while Charlotte weighed just 1 pound. Tragically, Charlotte passed away two days later.
“It was a heartbreaking time,” Katie said. “We were in survival mode, doing everything we could for our boys.”
Sullivan’s journey was particularly challenging. After spending time at the NICU at Fairview Hospital, he was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for a bowel resection.
It was an incredibly stressful time. Driving back and forth between hospitals was exhausting, and we needed to stay close to Lincoln, our oldest. That’s when we turned to the Ronald McDonald House.
The Ohles stayed at the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House for nearly a month while Bennett and Sullivan grew and recovered. They were able to utilize the transportation service to and from the hospitals as well as the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital.
The Ronald McDonald House became a sanctuary for the Ohle family during a tumultuous time. “The meals and the playroom were lifesavers,” Anna noted. “Lincoln loved visiting and playing, and it gave us moments of normalcy amidst the chaos.”
Katie highlighted the impact of small comforts from the Family Meal Program. “We survived on the egg sandwiches from the kitchen. It’s funny how something so simple can mean so much.”
The Ohle family’s experience at RMHC NEO left a lasting impression. Inspired by the support they received, they became dedicated to giving back.
“A friend’s nephew had used the Ronald McDonald House years ago, and we started collecting pull tabs back then,” Katie shared. “During our time at RMHC, some friends along with K.C.’S Bar and Grille donated over a million tabs in honor of our triplets. It was incredibly touching.”
Their efforts continue today, with help from their community and even Katie’s sister’s Air Force base. “It’s our way of saying thank you and ensuring other families have the same support we did,” Anna said.
The Ohle family’s story shows the importance of staying close during a child’s medical journey. “We don’t know how we would have managed without RMHC,” Katie said.