Ronald McDonald House Charities^® Southwestern Ontario About Us

The Ultimate Gift

Thank you.

Those were the first words Olivia said to her dad when she woke up in hospital with a new kidney. Not just any kidney—her father’s kidney.

The two had their respective surgeries in the same city, but in different hospitals. Olivia at London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital and her father, Chad, at University Hospital.

A LONG TIME COMING

Olivia was born with a rare condition called cystinosis. By the time she was 18 months, her kidneys had failed. After 14 years of living with chronic kidney disease, it was time. Time for a new kidney.

“I assume any parent would want to do anything they could for their child. We were fortunate enough that I was a match.”

TWO OF A KIND

Chad’s surgery was first, on a chilly February morning earlier this year. The transport team delivered his kidney across the city where 15-year-old, Olivia, her mom Erin, and her younger sister, Harper, were all waiting with much anticipation that same afternoon.

The Little’s didn’t know how long they would be in hospital, or how well things would go.

“We went into it with the thinking, plan for the worst and expect the best kind of thing.”

Surgery was successful for both. It was the next 48 hours that followed that proved to be challenging.

“From a parental perspective, that was the hardest part.”

Olivia didn’t see her dad until two days after surgery. Their first communication was over FaceTime.

“The first thing she said to me was thank you – then I started balling – her character, she’s so thoughtful and kind. For those to be the first words out of her mouth, it’s pretty special.”

HOME SWEET HOME

After 44 nights together at Ronald McDonald House London, the Little Family finally made their way back home to Port Elgin, back to a bit of normalcy.

Olivia is a competitive swimmer and incredibly resilient; she was back in the pool within the first few days. She’s gradually rejoined her wider swim team, with a focus on freestyle and the butterfly.

A FATHER’S LOVE

Chad has a message for other dads who may be in a similar situation with their child.

“Just enjoy it, at the end of the day, be fortunate enough that you’re together…you realize what you need and don’t need, reflect on what’s important, all the other stuff doesn’t matter. Embrace it. It’s all you can do.”

Since returning home, the sisters have transformed the Little’s basement into a LEGO land—one of their favourite past times the four of them enjoyed together at Ronald McDonald House. As for Father’s Day itself, Chad has an inkling that they will be spending the day on the green.

“Golfing probably, but it doesn’t have to be Father’s Day to be special.”

There is a strong possibility that Olivia will need another kidney transplant in her future, but for now, the Little Family is focusing on what matters most—each other.

“Every day is Father’s Day.”

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