09 Sep RMHC Provides Welcome Respite for Growing Safford Family

Diana Beagley didn’t realize how exhausted she was.

The mother of four had spent a week attempting to sleep bedside at the hospital, while her infant son Caspian received around-the-clock care to save his life. When a room became available at Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Roanoke House, Diana walked in, laid on the bed, and slept for a full day.

She woke up knowing she could handle whatever came next.

“As parents, we put the needs of our children first,” says Diana. “But once I was finally able to rest, I realized I needed to eat, shower, and take care of myself in order to be able to face whatever challenges were happening with Caspian.”

The stay was the Beagley family’s second time at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona in less than a year.

Their first stay was necessary when Caspian was hospitalized for more than four months after being born prematurely at 37-weeks without kidney function and unable to breathe. He was finally cleared to go home on dialysis.

But only a few weeks later, an infection would require a return to the hospital.

“Being so close to our baby was everything after he was born,” says Diana. “Ronald McDonald House was able to provide that for us. A place to rest, not having to worry about a meal, it was something off our plate so we could just focus on being there for our son.”

The family of six thrived after returning home to Safford, a community of about 10,000 people three hours southeast of Phoenix. Six weeks later, Caspian developed an infection that necessitated an emergency helicopter ride back to Phoenix in March.

“The biggest thing I love about Ronald McDonald House is being able to have my family with me,” says Diana. “As much as Caspian needs me, my daughters need me too. Being together as a family is something you take for granted until you’re separated by a medical issue.”

Caspian has since recovered from his infection but needs hemodialysis in Phoenix four times a week until he can receive a kidney transplant. The six-hour roundtrip drive to Safford is too demanding for the family to return home between treatments.

For as long as the family needs assistance, they’ve been assured they can stay at one of the Valley’s Ronald McDonald Houses until Caspian receives a new kidney.

“I worry about what would happen if there was another emergency,” says Caspian’s dad Nick. “At home, he’s always two to three hours away from help. When I go back to work, it’s a relief to know that my family is safe, and my son is only 10 minutes away from medical care.”

Caspian’s three sisters, 5-year-old Carter, 3-year-old Letti and 2-year-old Chloe are happy to be able to stay at Ronald McDonald House with their mom, dad and brother, too. They love playing on the playground, running through the sprinkler, watering the plants and helping out.

Thanks to Ronald McDonald House, they get to stay together as a family and bond with their baby brother.

“Sometimes I help Mommy and Daddy with Caspian,” says Carter. “I get them diapers.”