Nola Love Notes
Ronald McDonald House Charities ® of Greater New Orleans
A Child’s Testimony of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Brain Trauma and the Warm Hospitality of the Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House of New Orleans has been brightened up with the smiles and cheerful squeals of 4 year old Rusty Webb. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and has been undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatments at the Family Physicians Center with Dr. Paul Harch. During his stay and treatments, he has developed increased alertness, more use of his left arm and is more verbal. He can say Ma, Yea, Hola and now Dada!
His mom, Angel, travels from their home in Houston with Rusty each week for treatments while dad Max stays home with big brother Tyson. Luckily, Angel is able to maintain her full time job online while she is here. Max is comforted knowing that while his family is here, they are receiving meals, transportation and support that would not be available if they were staying in a hotel. Angel added, “The staff at the House do not feel like RMH employees, but extended family I look forward to seeing. Some of the relationships we’ve formed will last a lifetime.”
This is part of what makes RMH so special. Our families form bonds and friendships that offer support and comfort while they are going through the most difficult times in their lives. This wouldn’t be possible without the support and generosity of our community. Thank you to all who do so much for us.
Rusty and his Mom where featured in this NOLA Market Place Video
Nola Love Notes
Update on Rusty Webb and his friend Zak
This is an update on one of our precious children who has stayed at the New Orleans Ronald McDonald House. When Rusty Webb was younger, he suffered a traumatic brain injury. During his stay and hyperbaric treatments, he developed increased alertness, more use of his left arm and is more verbal. Rusty received a total of 80 hyperbaric oxygen treatments at the Family Physicians Center with Dr. Paul Harch. Since his HBOT treatments Rusty has accomplished milestones. He can communicate with some words, is able to walk to 130 ft with a walker and is excelling in school. He received a service dog (a Labradoodle) last year that he named Zak and who is a constant companion to Rusty.
Rusty attends kindergarten in League City, TX and was one of seven students awarded at his school for the annual fun run. Rusty raised sponsors for his “laps” and his kindergarten classmates volunteered to take turns to push him in the race. “Rusty will forever have two homes”, said his mom. “One with his family in Texas and the other with his special family, the staff at the Ronald McDonald House in New Orleans.” We will forever miss Rusty with his smiles, cheerful squeals, and his wonderful family. This is part of what makes Ronald McDonald House so special. Our families form friendships and bonds that offer support and comfort while they are going through the most difficult times in their lives. This wouldn’t be possible without the support and generosity of our community. Thank you to all who do so much for us.
