There’s an apartment on the eighth floor of Ronald McDonald

House Pittsburgh with a very special name on it. It’s a name

that defines strength and courage. It’s the name of a little boy

who defied the odds.

At just six days old, Rhett was taken to the hospital for hyperinsulinism, a condition with high insulin and low blood sugar. Having a high fever and seizures, he was placed in a drug induced coma. For the next three weeks, he was in the hospital. With his condition affecting several parts of his brain, his parents, Ashley and Aaron, took their son home under the assumption that he may never be able to walk or talk.

Today, this nearly two-year-old is doing just that and so much more - walking, babbling, and eating everything.

“He is doing wonderful,” said Ashley.

Reflecting on those days Rhett was in the hospital, Ashley remembers what it meant to stay at the Ronald McDonald House at that time.

Not realizing what the Charity offered, Ashley and Aaron were grateful to be close to their son and their daughter, Leighton who

is now 5 years old. They would take turns seeing their children

in the hospital and at the Ronald McDonald House where Leighton stayed, something that meant so much to them.

Ashley, who designs t-shirts for friends and family, was motivated by this and began making and selling them as a fundraiser for the Charity. Called Second Chance, she thrifts t-shirts and bleach dyes and tye dyes them. Taking them to vendor fairs and craft shows, customers can then pick designs and logos to press on the shirts. With the proceeds, Ashley sponsored an apartment at the Ronald McDonald House, helping other families find the same comfort her family did.

So, that name on the apartment on the eighth floor is

Rhett’s Army, in honor of the little boy who is always happy

and inspires others to be, too.