MEET our Hero, Olivia

Olivia’s Favorite Place in the House

Olivia loves to spend her afternoons at the Ronald McDonald House and her favorite place is the playroom. She enjoys playing with trains, blocks, and stuffed animals and on occasion she loves to play on the outside playground. These are some of her favorite places in the House, which helps pass the time while she waits for a heart transplant.

Four-year-old Olivia is the daughter of Lena and Clifton Billings and their home is in Green Ridge, Missouri. Olivia was born prematurely at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and the doctors quickly discovered that her heart muscle was weak. She was then transferred to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri. However, at that time they were hopeful that she would not need a transplant. Right from birth she was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the heart muscle’s ability to pump sufficient amounts blood to the rest of the body. Olivia remained in Kansas City for six months. Since her parents lived in Green Ridge, they had no friends or family to aid them while they where in Kansas City. The Ronald McDonald House provided them with a home away from home and allowed them to focus on Olivia.

Olivia was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital briefly where she was put on the heart transplant list. Olivia’s heart began responding to medication so well, that she was taken off the transplant list and released to go home.

After living back home for almost four years, Olivia’s heart began to weaken again and she was transported to Children’s Hospital, and put on the heart transplant list. Currently, Olivia and her parents are staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Park Ave. while they wait for news of a heart. Olivia walks around attached to a bag which carries her broviac catheter which administers medicine through an incision in her chest. Clifton comments, “The Ronald McDonald House is a calm haven that helps and is a place where you can regroup. The House also allows for privacy along with community living.”

The family is planning Olivia’s first trip to Disney World this December, after her transplant and recovery. They had to cancel their original trip when Olivia was transferred to St. Louis the second time. The Billings are looking forward to seeing the look in Olivia's eyes when she sees some of her favorite things come alive ….such as Mickey Mouse and Donald the Duck.