May is Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month, and for Ronni Klein and her family, it’s a deeply personal time to reflect and advocate. While their daughter Olivia wasn’t diagnosed with NF until later in life, her story began with a harrowing introduction to the world of pediatric healthcare — one that would shape their family forever.
Olivia was born on December 31, 2018, at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, just nine days before her due date. While her arrival was joyful, concerns quickly arose when Olivia weighed only 5 lbs. 1 oz. and began struggling with hypoglycemia — dangerously low blood sugar.
“We were transferred to the NICU less than 24 hours after she was born,” Ronni recalled. “It was such a rollercoaster of emotions and blood sugars — ups, downs, tears, smiles. The NICU is a place you never expect to be, and it changes you.”
The journey was anything but easy. Despite appearing healthy in every other way, Olivia couldn’t keep her blood sugar regulated. Each time her numbers would stabilize, hope would rise — only to crash again with the next test. The emotional toll was staggering.
“I remember feeling like I didn’t have the right to grieve,” Ronni admitted. “There were other families around us experiencing unimaginable loss. But one nurse told me something that has stuck with me to this day: ‘This is your worst, and you’re allowed to feel that.’ That one sentence gave me permission to feel every bit of the fear and uncertainty I was carrying.”
With two young children at home in Liberty Center, Ohio, and Olivia in Toledo’s NICU for 19 days, the logistics of daily life became a heavy burden. Ronni’s husband Mike returned to work and took care of things at home, while Ronni focused on Olivia in the NICU. Together, they juggled preschool pickups, hospital visits, and the constant worry for their tiny newborn daughter.
This is where Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio stepped in.
“Having the Ronald McDonald House right across the parking lot from the hospital was a lifesaver,” said Ronni. “It meant I could be close to Olivia, sleep, shower, and recharge without worrying about a long drive back and forth. The hot meals made by volunteers were especially meaningful. Those little things — like not having to think about cooking — allowed us to focus on our family and our baby.”
Ronni remembers fondly the simple moments she shared with Mike at the House. “We called them our romantic dinners,” she laughed. “After he got off work, we’d meet at the Ronald McDonald House, grab whatever meal the volunteers had prepared, and sit down together for a few quiet moments before he headed home to be with the other kids. It was the most ‘normal’ part of those days.”
When Olivia was finally discharged, the fear didn’t stop. The hospital sent them home with a warning about the risks of low blood sugar episodes. Nurses visited regularly to check Olivia’s glucose levels, and while everything looked stable, the anxiety lingered.
“I was terrified,” Ronni said. “Bringing a newborn home is scary enough, but bringing home a baby with a medical issue and two other little ones at home — I felt like I was drowning. Looking back, it all felt so normal.”
Since those difficult days, Olivia has grown into a bright, spirited little girl. Several years later, Olivia was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF) — a condition that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. While the diagnosis was another blow, it inspired Ronni and her family to become advocates, sharing Olivia’s story during NF Awareness Month and beyond.
“Advocacy matters,” Ronni emphasized. “Whether it’s for NICU families, NF awareness, or mental health struggles for new parents — these stories need to be told.”
Today, Ronni continues to encourage others to check in on new parents, whether or not their babies are medically complex. “We tend to put on brave faces, but the truth is, a lot of us are just barely holding it together.”
For Ronni, RMHC Northwest Ohio was more than a place to stay — it was a safe harbor during one of the most frightening, exhausting chapters of her life.
“You don’t realize how important places like RMHC are until you need them,” she said. “I’m forever grateful for the meals, the room, the people, and the sense of community that helped carry us through.”
