2026 F A M I L Y
P R O F I L E
The Family of Clementine Clough Home: Lebanon, MO (Laclede County)
“When our daughter, Clementine was born
two months early in June 2024 due to severe preeclampsia, our lives were immediately turned upside down. Clementine was born with Down syndrome and two heart defects and was in heart failure almost from the very beginning. This began a journey of lengthy hospital stays that totaled almost five months and included two heart surgeries. During this incredibly difficult time, the Ronald McDonald House became our sanctuary. It gave us a place to stay that was just one floor above our baby, allowing us to be with her as much as possible, which was an immense comfort. The House felt safe and like a reprieve from the things we couldn’t control. They even found slippers for me when my feet were too swollen to wear regular shoes, and that will always stick with us. The Ronald McDonald House gave us so much more than just a place to sleep. During a period of financial struggle due to the long-term stays, they provided us with delicious meals and much-needed necessities. It was also a place where our other children could come and stay with us frequently, which helped our family feel whole even when we were far from home. We even celebrated a birthday there! We were surrounded by a community that understood what we were going through, and the support we received from staff and other families helped us feel less alone. The Ronald McDonald House helped our family get through one of the most difficult periods of our lives. The support, comfort, and kindness we received were invaluable. They helped us make it through those months. We now have a healthy, thriving baby with a repaired heart. Our beautiful little Clementine is a true testament to the skill of wonderful doctors and the community we found during it all. The Ronald McDonald House will forever hold a special place in our hearts for the hope and support they gave our family. We will always remember our time spent there fondly, despite our circumstances.”
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