Hutchinson Family - Mokau

Tara and Wyatt live on a sheep and beef station near Mōkau, on the west coast of the North Island, with their beloved children Caleb (three) and Lachie (19 months). They enjoy farm life, spending time at the beach and being together. 

When Tara was pregnant with Lachie, her 20-week scan showed that he had a diaphragmatic hernia – a hole in his diaphragm. His digestive tract was in his chest, pushing his heart to the side and hindering the development of his lungs. Mum Tara says, “he was initially given just 40% chance of survival; it was a really scary time for us and we had some big decisions to make.” Diagnosis was made in Auckland, so the family stayed at Ronald McDonald House for further testing and monitoring – alternating between Auckland and Waikato hospitals. 

“I had to be near the hospital when I went into labour so at 37 weeks’ gestation, we moved into the Grafton Mews House,” Tara says. She was induced at 39 weeks and Lachie was born, whisked away to the NICU to stabilise him and help him breathe. Then at just two days old, wee Lachie had surgery to return his digestive tract to the abdomen and close the hole in his diaphragm; he then spent almost two weeks in recovery. Mum Tara explains, “it was such a tough time. I was really concerned about being away from Caleb who was just two at the time, while being extremely stressed for Lachie and his recovery.” During this difficult time, the family had a room at Ronald McDonald House – ensuring they could come and go. “RMHC meant that we could all stay together and crucially, that I could still see as much as possible of Caleb. The playgrounds and toys meant entertaining a busy young boy was easy and what could have been a really awful time for Caleb was made fun.” 

Tara was blown away by the facilities at the House, especially the self-contained apartment they were given after Lachie was born. “It meant I had a fridge and a sink to store breastmilk for Lachie and clean the pump parts – I was genuinely speechless at the gorgeous, useful space provided for us.” The family celebrated Caleb’s second birthday in Auckland just before Lachie’s birth, and the staff organised a gift and card for him that day. “They just go above and beyond; Caleb wasn’t even the patient, and they thought of him.” Tara notes the shared meals with other families as a highlight – meeting others going through similar journeys and supporting one another. “We’re still in contact with one family with a heart baby to this day – and intend to visit them when we’re in their part of the country.”

Lachie is now thriving as he comes up to his second birthday, and Tara looks back fondly on her time at RMHC. “The staff genuinely care. Every time you walk through those glass doors you’re welcomed with the biggest smiles from everyone. We are just so grateful that Ronald McDonald House exists and that they kept us together as a family during a really tough time.”