The Smith Family's Story

When Helen and Terry Smith first brought their three-year-old son, Landon, to Dallas for diagnosis at Children's Medical Center in 1995, they had no idea what they would find. While doctors discovered the cause of Landon's kidney problems, the Smiths discovered the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

For ten years the House has served Landon and his parents while they are in Dallas for treatment. The Smiths have spent many nights in the House and have celebrated numerous birthdays and holidays with the RMHD family. Ironically, Landon has not been the only patient in the Smith family. In 2001, Landon received a kidney transplant from an unlikely donor- his adopted father, Terry. Because the family was staying at the Ronald McDonald House, Helen was able to care for Landon at the hospital while her husband received meals and hospital transportation from the House volunteers.

His disease now in remission, Landon and his family still travel to Dallas for monthly appointments, but now the drive is a bit more comfortable — they know the Ronald McDonald House will be there when they arrive.

Giving Back

When Brian and Julie Hale first brought their son Caleb to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, they received discouraging news. The orthopedic surgeon whom they consulted offered little hope that the congenital malformation of Caleb's right hip and knee could be corrected. Five-year-old Caleb had already undergone unsuccessful procedures in Houston, but the Hales were still hopeful that advanced surgical techniques offered at Scottish Rite could help their son.

The Hales lived in Fred, Texas where Brian was serving as pastor of a Baptist congregation. But during the months of Caleb's treatment at Scottish Rite, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas would become the Hale's home away from home. When wheelchair-bound Caleb was released from the hospital, he and and his sister Faith enjoyed our playroom while their parents enjoyed what Brian calls the "tremendous support" of the residents, staff, and volunteers at the RMHD.

Today Caleb is ten years old and will need one more surgery before his treatment is considered complete. He is walking well with only a slight limp. The Hales now live in nearby Irving, Texas, where Brian is the pastor at North Irving Baptist Church. The Hales are still a part of our House. On the fourth and fifth Saturdays of every month, Pastor Hale and a group of men from his church come to serve breakfast to our families. At Christmastime, the men bring their entire families to the RMHD to sing carols.

The Path of Service

Neil Paddon grew up in a family that valued humanity, humility, integrity, and excellence. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Neil's parents always stressed volunteering and giving back to the community. Neil's wife, Pam, began volunteering at the Ronald Mc Donald House through the Dallas Junior League. Neil was so moved by Pam's stories that he had to get involved.

Volunteering on Thursdays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Neil found himself doing a little bit of everything around the House. He often interacted with the families, drove the van, occasionally unstopped a clogged sink, and even changed light bulbs. Little did Neil know that by the simple act of volunteering, he would meet a man that would change him forever. Read more