Ronald McDonald House Party Unites Families and Friends
A 2016 Ronald McDonald House party saw the beginning of a friendship that would play an important role for two high school students. Cristina Garza was volunteering at the Chicago RMHC Christmas Party when she met a 17 year old from Kentucky, Tristan Ballinger who is recovering from a severe brain injury that left him in a wheelchair with short term memory loss and needing intense physical therapy. The two instantly hit it off and became friends.
At the time of injury, Tristan’s family was told that there was a high chance he would be predominantly paralyzed for the rest of his life. Tristan had other plans. “Every time we meet with a different set of physicians, they can’t believe his medical records because he’s doing things he medically should not be able to do,” said Mike Ballinger, Tristan’s father.
Since that party, Christina and Tristan have conquered many things that Tristan’s parents never expected their son to be able to accomplish since his injury. The pair have sailed on Lake Michigan, played chess, and traveled abroad.
Christina has continued to support Tristan by assisting him and spending time with him when he visit Chicago for further treatment. They have grown closer over the past two years and both consider each other good friends. To Tristan’s parents though, Christina is a blessing. “Its extremely important for Tristan to have friends his own age” says Tristan’s father.
This past October Tristan had the opportunity to go to Japan to receive specialized treatment in the form of exoskeletal therapy. Christina and her mom ensured that they would not make this trip alone. Christina and her family were able to stay with Tristan and is mom for a week while Tristan received treatment. Christina said she loved Japan and was amazed at the differences in culture. She plans on continuing to volunteer and she believes in Tristan and will continue to support him during his recovery.
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