The Munro Family - Dunedin

For the Munro family of Balclutha, South Otago, life changed forever when their daughter Sofia began showing signs of illness at just four months old. What followed were years filled with ambulance trips and hospital stays, but also incredible resilience, love, and community support.

Natasha and Clem, along with their two children; Arie (seven) and Sofia (four), love the outdoors and exploring the rugged coastline of the Catlins or biking around Central Otago. But behind the scenes, their days are structured around Sofia’s complex medical needs.

“Sofia started showing signs of being unwell when she was just a baby,” Natasha explains, “at four months old she had poor growth, constant pain, and episodes where she’d suddenly become very sick. It was terrifying.”

During Sofia’s first emergency, paramedics had to drill into her leg bone to administer fluids – an unimaginable experience for any parent. Over the next two years, the family would find themselves rushing to hospital again and again, as Sofia’s symptoms worsened; pale skin, pain, rapid heart rate, vomiting, low blood pressure and very lethargic and hard to rouse.

Eventually, they got a diagnosis: pathological ketotic hypoglycemia. Sofia’s body can’t store enough glycogen, which means she can’t go without food, even overnight. “Finally getting a diagnosis brought huge relief,” Natasha says, “it meant we could understand what was happening and keep Sofia safe.”

Sofia now receives all of her nutrition through a feeding pump and gastrostomy tube, and takes cornstarch therapy overnight to maintain her blood sugar. “She’s incredible,” said Natasha, “she checks her own blood sugar, hooks herself up to her pump; she’s so independent.” She has great treatment plans in place, and has IV glucose when required at the hospital.

Even the family’s golden retriever, Ted, has learned to help. “Ted can smell when her ketones are high. He’ll lick her face to alert us - it’s amazing!”

With so many hospital stays, the support of RMHC NZ has meant the world to the Munros. When Sofia was admitted to Christchurch Hospital, Clem drove 450km through the night to be by her side. RMHC arranged for him to stay at the Family Room, Waipapa (inside Christchurch Hospital).

“That gesture meant everything,” Natasha says, “he had a quiet, safe space close by where he could rest and recharge. It meant we could stay together, and Sofia had both her parents nearby which made a huge difference to her.”

The Family Room became a sanctuary in the middle of the hospital: warm, welcoming, and close enough that Sofia could relax and play away from the clinical environment. “Being able to bring a support person, have meals provided, a warm bed, smiling faces; it was a home away from home.”

Without RMHC, Natasha says, the journey would have been so much harder. “Travelling with a chronically ill child is exhausting. Having Ronald McDonald House meant we didn’t have to worry about where to sleep or what to eat. We could just focus on our daughter.”

The Munros’ gratitude for RMHC extends globally. When Sofia required specialist surgery in New York, the family stayed at Ronald McDonald House in the States. “The care we received there was just as beautiful as back home. The values and heart of RMHC don’t change, no matter where in the world you are.”

As Sofia continues to grow and thrive - confident, resilient, and always surrounded by love - the Munro family remains deeply grateful for the comfort and connection RMHC has brought to their most challenging days.

“We will be forever grateful.”