Family Experience

"A Second Chance At Life"
As told by Austin White

Austin White, prior to his accident.

Roy & Jean White, Austin’s parents, stayed at the Ronald McDonald
House within the Hospital from February 19 to March 1, then
transitioned to the Westmoreland House when Austin moved
to St. Mary’s Hospital for rehabilitation.

I never expected any of this to happen. You always think that it would never happen to you but on February 18 my whole life changed. I was involved in a bad car accident around 11 pm. I was pinned inside the car for over an hour. We only went about a quarter mile down the road to pick up a friend when we hit black ice which threw us into a tree. This all happened in the driveway of our destination. That was the phone call that my parents, like all parents, dread.

Austin, recovering in the hospital.

The next two months of my life was all a big blur. I’ve been told that I stayed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Strong Memorial Hospital for over two weeks fighting for my life. Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, my parents were never more than a floor away. My parents said that at the Ronald McDonald House they experienced the many luxuries of home. The Ronald McDonald House helped me through this experience because it enabled my family to be by my side when I needed them the most.

Then I was transferred to St. Mary’s to begin my rehabilitation. At this point I had not begun walking or talking yet. I took for granted the independence that the car accident took from me and I had to re-learn simple gestures such as tying my shoes. My parents stayed at a nearby Ronald McDonald House so they could remain by my side. I worked with my therapists to improve my motor skills and speech.

It was a community effort between the PICU, St. Mary’s and the Ronald McDonald House that has brought me to what I am today. Now I am going to graduate from Honeoye Central High School at the end of June. Next year I am going to start taking some courses at Monroe Community College hopefully majoring in physical therapy. I’ve always been interested in this field but I never thought I would get so much firsthand experience. I am also excited to have learned that I might be getting my driver’s license back soon. I am very thankful to have been given a second shot at life, and I wake up every morning ‘saying it’s a good day to be alive’.”

Austin, at his high school graduation party.