What began as a dream trip from New Zealand to visit Disneyland took an unexpected turn for the Moradas family when their son, Aiden, was born at just 23 weeks. Ronald McDonald House® Orange County provided their family with a place to stay, warm meals, and a supportive community.
For Philip and Jinky Moradas, a trip from New Zealand to the United States with their daughter, Aaliyah, had been a dream for years. They had planned to explore California and experience the magic of Disneyland together. But just days before their long-awaited visit to the theme park, their lives took an unexpected turn.
Early one Wednesday morning, Jinky began having contractions.
“I was like, ‘No, this is not happening because it’s too early,’” Philip remembers. They called 911, and an ambulance arrived within minutes. At the hospital, their son, Aiden, was born at 23 weeks and 6 days.
Suddenly, what was supposed to be a family vacation became an extended medical journey in an unfamiliar country, thousands of miles from everything they knew. With no family nearby and nowhere to stay, Philip and Jinky faced the overwhelming reality of caring for their premature newborn far from home. That afternoon, a hospital social worker introduced them to Ronald McDonald House® Orange County.
When Philip first arrived at the House, he was surprised by the warm, welcoming environment.
“I was not really expecting the house; how beautiful it is,” he remembers.
But it wasn’t just the guest rooms, shared kitchens, or playrooms that made an impression. It was the reassurance they received from a staff member during their first tour.
“You just have to focus on your baby. We’ll do everything else.”
Within a week, Aaliyah was enrolled in a school just a short walk away, and the family began building a new kind of normal.
Their days found a new rhythm centered around Aiden’s care. Each morning, Philip and Jinky walk Aaliyah to school before making the short trip to the hospital. Jinky spends much of the day by Aiden’s side, while Philip takes the evening shift after dinner.
Aaliyah spends her afternoons playing with new friends, enjoying meals and fresh-baked treats prepared by volunteers, and simply being a kid. For Philip and Jinky, sharing meals and connecting with other families facing similar challenges has brought an unexpected sense of community.
“We’re in the same situation,” Jinky shares, “… We can just be positive.”
Through several surgeries and months of uncertainty, Philip and Jinky have remained by Aiden’s side, celebrating each milestone along the way. One of the most meaningful moments came when they were finally able to hold their son in their arms.
Jinky says the House has changed what the days feel like: “It’s lifted such a big burden off our shoulders.”
Through every challenge and milestone, they’ve found comfort in knowing they don’t have to navigate it alone.
At Ronald McDonald House® Orange County, families like the Moradases find more than a place to stay. They find everyday comforts, meaningful connections, and a community of support that helps them focus on what matters most: being at the heart of their child’s care.
