RMH-LI Redesign Hits Home With Dall

Written by Illustrated News Staff Saturday, 08 November 2014 00:00

Kelly Dall, a Long Island-based interior designer and participant in the Ronald McDonald House of Long Islands (RMH-LI) $5.1 million Project Design initiative, is just one of the 45 prestigious designers of the nonprofit organizations recently completed renovation. Her participation, however, is particularly unique, as her family is a former resident family of RMH-LI in New Hyde Park, a home away from home for families of seriously ill children.

During RMH-LIs designer recruitment phase, Dall stood out not only because of her interior design talents and abilities, but her personal history with the house and understanding of its mission. In 2007, the Dall family faced one of the most difficult times in their lives when their third child, Elle, was born with a diaphragmatic hernia. This diagnosis has a 15 percent survival rate.

Last year, the Dalls once again faced a life-or-death situation when their 14-year-old son suffered from osteomyelitis (an infection in the bone), an abscess in his acetabulum and a septic joint. Having RMH-LI by their side made life a little bit easier while they were caring for Elle and Sean at the hospital next door.

The house is an extremely special place to us, Dall says. When our kids were sick, the thought of not being with them every possible moment was frightening. We were away from home for weeks but RMH-LI made it possible to stay close while being able to take a shower or lay down for a quick nap.

Dall describes her work in the project as good karma and her relationship with the house as coming full circle. When I heard about this project, I immediately knew I was going to be a part of it, she said. The house provides unbelievable comfort to families during a very emotional time, and I am honored to be able to provide a calm, restful healing environment for families experiencing the pain of having a child in area hospitals.

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RMH-LI Redesign Hits Home With Dall