A Place to Rest, a Reason to Hope
For Courtney and Kyle LeBarron, the joy of welcoming their daughter Jacqueline came with unexpected challenges—and the comfort of a home they never knew they’d need.
When you imagine your pregnancy, you dream about everything going right—the tiny kicks, the nursery colors, the first moments you’ll hold your baby. But sometimes, even the best-laid plans come with unexpected hurdles.
That was the case for Courtney and Kyle LeBarron. After welcoming their daughter, Jacqueline, through a planned induction, they suddenly found themselves facing an unexpected journey — navigating a NICU stay they never saw coming.
“We were expecting a lot of things, but a stay in the NICU was not one of them,” said Courtney. “Jacqueline was having trouble eating and experiencing some colic, which meant little to no sleep for all of us. We were running on exhaustion and stress. In the midst of that, Ronald McDonald House was a godsend. Truly, our admission was not only an answered prayer—it was a shining light in what had unexpectedly become a dark time.”
The LeBarrons lived 30 minutes from the hospital. At first, they didn’t think they qualified for a room at Ronald McDonald House, so they began to plan how to make the frequent trips back and forth—calculating how often Courtney would need to leave and return for feedings, diaper changes, and precious moments by Jacqueline’s side.
“When you think of 30 minutes, it doesn’t seem that far,” Courtney said. “But when you’re making that trip every couple of hours, it gets overwhelming. The distance was close—but Jacqueline needed us closer. She needed us often.”
When a room became available at Ronald McDonald House, relief washed over them. Suddenly, the long commutes, the mounting expenses, and the worry about missing moments all faded away. What replaced it was simple and profound: time together.
Staying just steps from the NICU meant Courtney and Kyle could be fully present for every test, every touch, and every breath their daughter took.
“Jacqueline’s bloodwork showed numbers that were concerning to her medical team,” Courtney said. “After a heal prick, she was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism, which is extremely rare—only about one in 2,000 to 4,000 babies are diagnosed.”
Her arrival had been frightening. “She was purple and not breathing when she was born,” Courtney recalled. “She was lethargic and her medical condition was causing her not to have the energy to eat. It was a domino effect. We were lucky to find a diagnosis that allowed us to develop a treatment plan—but the uncertainty along the way was terrifying.”
Through it all, the LeBarrons found comfort not just in proximity—but in presence.
“The difference in her health when we were able to be there with her was incredible,” Courtney said. “Ronald McDonald House took care of every worry and let me focus completely on my baby. They gave us the chance to provide the kind of love and touch that helped her heal.”
Today, the LeBarron family focuses on celebrating every day—and giving back to the place that gave them so much. Along with Jacqueline’s sister, Ashlynn, the family has created a new birthday tradition: returning to Ronald McDonald House to serve meals to families walking a journey much like their own.
“Jacqueline is our miracle,” Courtney said. “And Ronald McDonald House is a miracle to so many. We wanted our girls to understand the importance of paying it forward and putting good back into the world. Spending Jacqueline’s birthday serving other families felt like the perfect way to honor that.”
The LeBarrons’ story is one of gratitude, resilience, and hope—a reminder that in the hardest moments, even the smallest gestures of love can light the way forward.
