Yanet was told that her daughter would be born with spina bifida when she was already six months pregnant. When Maria was born, doctors said she wouldn’t make it through the night. From that moment, Yanet dedicated herself to doing anything she could to improve Maria’s quality of life and access the critical medical treatment she needs.  

Maria is now almost 21 years old. She first traveled to Los Angeles from her home in Sinaloa, Mexico for medical care when she was just two years old. Since then, Maria and her mother have continued to travel back and forth for surgeries and fittings more than 15 times. Though she does not walk, she now has braces that allow her to stand.  

Each trip is filled with stress and anxiety. But they have found their home-away-from-home at the Ronald McDonald House. 

This year will be Maria’s last medical appointment and her final stay at Ronald McDonald House Pasadena.  

"What can I say about the House?” she shares. “It is a place that has always given us wonderful moments of joy and happiness. It is a home that radiates so much peace and tranquility. We are eternally grateful to the House for allowing us to stay here, to meet so many families, to form great friendships, and to fill our lives with blessings and memories.”