Wilkins Family: A Home Away from Home Through Two NICU Journeys

When Paige and Michael Wilkins welcomed their daughter Nora at just 30 weeks, weighing only 1 lb. 15 oz., they were no strangers to the NICU. Two years earlier, their son Graham had been born at 26 weeks — a micro-preemie weighing 1 lb. 4 oz. His NICU stay lasted five months, followed by nine additional months at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

“It was overwhelming,” Paige shared. “With Graham, we were thrown into this whole new world. I didn’t know anyone else with a micro-preemie. It was confusing, isolating, and terrifying.”

Now the parents of two preemies, the Wilkins family turned once again to a familiar source of comfort: Ronald McDonald House Charities.

During both of their children’s hospitalizations, the Wilkins family found more than a bed and a meal at RMHC Northwest Ohio — they found stability, support, and a sense of home.

“The Ronald McDonald House was a breath of fresh air,” Paige said. “Especially on the really bad days. Knowing we were just a short walk away from Nora made things so much easier. We could shower, sleep, and reset — all while staying close to our baby.”

The Wilkinses live more than an hour away from the hospital, and with Graham’s complex medical needs, including a tracheostomy and feeding tube, long car rides simply aren’t an option. “We can’t travel more than 15 minutes at a time with him,” Paige explained. “Without the House, we wouldn’t have been able to be with Nora the way we needed to be.”

While Nora’s NICU stay was smoother than Graham’s — she needed very little oxygen support and just needed time to grow — Paige and Michael were balancing life with a medically complex toddler and a fragile newborn.

“The staff at RMHC were so sweet to Graham,” she said. “He used the playroom and playground every single day. Michael and I would take turns — one of us at the NICU, one of us outside playing with Graham. RMHC made it possible for us to be there for both our kids.”

For Paige, what stood out most were the little things — the thoughtful meals, the welcoming environment, and moments of normalcy that felt rare during hospital life.

“Not having to cook three meals a day when you’re living in a hospital is a huge relief,” she said. “The volunteers made us feel really special — especially on Mother’s Day when we were away from home.”

The Wilkins family also spent nine consecutive months at RMHC Central Ohio while Graham was undergoing treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. While the House in Columbus is larger to accommodate more families, Paige emphasized that both Houses provided the same sense of care, comfort, and connection.

“Whether we were in Toledo or Columbus, we were surrounded by people who truly understood what we were going through,” she said. “Both places gave us exactly what we needed — a safe, supportive home close to our children.”

Nora is now 17 months old and thriving — walking, talking, and keeping up with her big brother.

“You’d never guess she was a micro-preemie,” Paige said with a smile. “She’s doing amazing.”

Still, the NICU journey leaves a lasting mark. “The NICU is a rollercoaster. You take five steps forward and ten steps back,” she said. “Time feels like it stands still. But one day, you’ll be home with a happy, healthy child. It’s all worth it.”

As a way to support other NICU families, Paige now shares their journey on Instagram through her page, @GrowGrahamGrow, offering encouragement and resources — especially to other trach moms navigating similar paths.

Her message to other families facing a NICU stay is simple but powerful:

“Your current situation is not your final destination. It gets better. And having a place like Ronald McDonald House makes the hardest days just a little lighter.”

When asked to describe what RMHC means to her family, Paige didn’t hesitate.

“It’s home. A happy, comfortable place to be during the hardest time in your life.”