Territory Stinger Elle Richardsons reflection: How Ronald McDonald House Supported Us Through Our Toughest Times

My name is Elle Richardson. I am a current Territory Stingers player and an employee at Hockey NT. This month, Hockey NT is excited to participate in the 2024 McHappy Day on Saturday, November 16th, an initiative that raises money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Saying “yes” to this event was easy for our organisation, but for me, it triggered a wave of memories and gratitude for what the Ronald McDonald House has done for my family during some of the hardest moments of our lives. I want to share our story to highlight the extraordinary work they do.

I’ve been part of the Darwin hockey community since I was 10 years old, playing in state teams and eventually joining the Pearls and now The Stingers. The sport has brought me countless memories and friendships that I treasure. In 2018 at 25, I had my son Duke. If you’ve spent any time around Darwin hockey, you’ve probably seen Duke, he’s the cheeky, fearless 6-year-old who’s always on the move. He’s the kid who dives headfirst into everything (often literally), whether it’s hockey, soccer, Auskick, or BMX. But beneath that lively, confident exterior is a story of resilience: Duke has Severe Haemophilia A.

Duke’s journey with haemophilia began when he was just 6 months old. After a routine vaccination, his thigh swelled up, turning black and blue. I did what any concerned new mum would do and took him to the ER. The doctors assured me it was likely just a rare case of a blood vessel being hit and sent us home. With no family history of bleeding disorders, it seemed plausible. But when it happened again four months later, my instincts told me something more was wrong.

I remember that day vividly. Duke was 10 months old, happy and chubby, but bruised from head to toe, and I thought we might just be dealing with an iron deficiency. As I sat in the ER, a visiting doctor approached me with a serious look. He told me he suspected a bleeding disorder, possibly Haemophilia, a word I couldn’t even pronounce, let alone understand. What followed was a nightmare of blood tests. Duke was a robust baby, we called him the “Michelin baby” because of his rolls, which made finding a vein nearly impossible. After hours of pinning and prodding, they had to put him under anaesthetic just to get a cannula in.

That evening, while rushing home to grab clothes and nappies, I got a call from a specialist telling me we needed to be on a CareFlight to Adelaide immediately. They suspected Duke had Severe Haemophilia A and said Darwin lacked the resources to provide the care he needed. With no time to process, we were flown to Adelaide and admitted to the Royal Women and Children’s Hospital’s Oncology ward.

Those first weeks were a blur of confusion and fear. We didn’t have clothes, toiletries, or even a pram. That’s when the Ronald McDonald House stepped in. They provided us with a room, essentials, and a sense of security that felt like a lifeline. They even gave us a pram and their home away from home with playgrounds and a playroom where spaces where Duke could be a kid again. I can’t overstate the comfort that came from being able to cook our own meals in their communal kitchen or seeing Duke’s smile as he played with other children.

Over the years, we have made countless trips to Adelaide for surgeries and treatments, often on short notice as The Northern Territory does not have a Paediatric Haematologist. The Ronald McDonald House was always there, ready to take us in. The support they provided was more than just a place to sleep, it was a home in the storm. The volunteers who baked for us and the families we met, each with their own battles, created an atmosphere of understanding and hope. They took away the added stress of worrying about where we would stay or whether we had packed a toothbrush, so I could focus on Duke.

Duke’s early years were filled with challenges. For the first three years, he needed transfusions every other day through a port in his stomach. I spent six months training on and off in Adelaide to be able to administer these at home to minimise hospital visits, but joint bleeds or any knock or bump that led to a bleed meant another trip to the ER. In 2020, a breakthrough medication called Hemlibra was added to the PBS scheme. It changed our lives, reducing Duke’s treatment to one injection every two weeks. Though major injuries still require factor VIII transfusions, this change gave us a semblance of normalcy.

Despite all he’s been through, Duke is one of only two children in the Northern Territory living with Haemophilia A. He’s endured joint bleeds, broken bones, and seven surgeries, all needing transfusions. Yet, he remains the unstoppable, playful boy that brings so much joy to my life.

I never thought I’d play representative hockey again after becoming a mother, especially with Duke’s health challenges. But when the Stingers program resumed, something shifted. In 2023, I told Duke I would be playing, and his eyes lit up with pride. “Mum, I’ve never seen you play for the Stingers before,” he said with a smile that melted my heart. That moment was all the motivation I needed.

The support we’ve received from our family, Hockey NT, and the Stingers community has made it possible for me to juggle motherhood, work, and sport. And the support of the Ronald McDonald House made it possible for us to get through those trying times with Duke.

This is why the work of the Ronald McDonald House Charities is so important. They provide more than shelter, they offer peace of mind and a sense of normalcy during unimaginable times. Their kindness and unwavering support are why I am forever grateful, and why this McHappy Day means so much to me and my family. If you’re able, please consider donating or participating. Your support makes a world of difference to families like mine.

The SRA Territory Stingers and Hockey NT will be joining McHappy Day at Ludmilla McDonald's from 1 pm this Saturday, November 16. Come along to help raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities and support families of children facing serious illness or injury! To donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities CLICK HERE.