A mum-of-five knew something was wrong with her son when he struggled to walk.
Rachel Guthrie's waters broke when she was just 25 weeks pregnant, but desperate to "keep him inside" for as long as possible, young Louie was born prematurely at 29 weeks. Due to him being born early, the family "didn't know what to expect".
But when Louie began to show struggles walking and standing, he was soon diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Two weeks ago, the family - who live near Coventry - were able to get a much-needed operation that would help Louie, now five.
READ MORE: Liverpool café shooting towards the top of Tripadvisor's best places to eat
Staying at the Ronald McDonald House, Rachel said it has become their "home away from home" until they can return back later this month. The charity provides a place to sleep, cook and retain some sense of normal life, a lifeline for families at a very stressful time.
She said: "Because he was born early, we didn't know what was going to happen, it wasn't until around a year he was eventually given a diagnosis. His legs would hurt and he was really underdeveloped. He wasn't walking and needed extra support. He couldn't stand for very long and he needed a lot of physio.
"When he was three we were told about surgery, but he couldn't have it until four. We chose Alder Hey because it was a closer one to us that also provided a better after care. We came in November 18 for the operation and we will be here for two weeks with physio every day.
"It's an amazing place, it was my birthday on Tuesday and being here at the Ronald McDonald House abled us to have family to visit, give them a place to come and we could all be together and not leave Louie. It's nice to have that, it's needed.
"The after care, we don't need to worry about anything, we don't need to worry about little things like cutlery, it's all here. I'd recommend anyone to come here."
Rachel and Louie joined other families on Thursday at the house for a "Decorate in December" event, bringing Christmas to them. It was one of 12 taking place simultaneously in Ronald McDonald Houses around the UK.
Families were able to enjoy arts and crafts, a buffet and a special visit from princess Belle and Santa's elves. A 7ft Christmas tree was also donated by Giltrees Christmas Tree Farm in Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk. Rachel added: "Louie is so excited for Christmas, this event gives us a much-needed break from the worry."
As families got to work decorating the tree, donated by Giltrees Christmas Tree Farm, and bringing Christmas to them, Lynne Wright, House Manager at Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey said: "The idea is to create excitement among staff, families and supporters and to invite local politicians and dignitaries to show them just how special our Charity is."
Also joining the event, knowing full well the level of care the house provides, was Rachel Smith and her son Colby Adams. Rachel said they were waiting for her other son Casey, nine weeks old, to get out of surgery at Alder Hey and it came as a welcome distraction away from the "stressing of Christmas".
When Rachel Smith was told her unborn baby was likely to be born with a heart condition, she was unaware of what to expect. But young Colby, now two, was born and scheduled for surgery at Alder Hey Hospital for when he was three months old.
Travelling to the children's hospital from Southport, Rachel said their experience was made that little bit better with support from the Ronald McDonald House. Staying there for six months for surgery and recovery, the house became a "second home" for the family and was a place they could relax and meet other parents going through similar.
So when Rachel found herself back with her second son Casey with the same heart condition, she felt a bit more at ease. She told the ECHO it was a "life-line".
Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey is the largest Ronald McDonald house in Europe, with 84 bedrooms, including 15 longer stay apartments. More can be found here.
Also attending the festive event, Labour MP for West Derby, Mr Byrne, added: "Whilst Christmas is a happy time for many, childhood accidents and illnesses still happen, and that’s why a Charity like Ronald McDonald House Charities UK is so important. It’s been fantastic getting to see Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey prepare for Christmas."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Faces of 40 Liverpool criminals who were jailed during November
Mum's nightmare after son never came home from Christmas party
Floral tributes for man, 36, who died after falling from bridge
Facebook Marketplace fraudster crashed into tree
Hundreds of jobs secured at Ford's Halewood factory as £125m investment revealed
