Ariadne’s mother, Loukia, shared that she vividly remembers the day they received notice that they could stay at the Westside LA House. It brought an immense sense of relief to their family, as they did not know how long they would need to stay for Ariadne’s medical treatment.
Ariadne and her family arrived at the Westside LA House 358 days ago from Cyprus, the Mediterranean island nation, so Ariadne could receive critical treatment at UCLA Children’s Hospital. Ariadne’s mother, Loukia, shared that she vividly remembers the day they received notice that they could stay at the Westside LA House. It brought an immense sense of relief to their family, as they did not know how long they would need to stay for Ariadne’s medical treatment. As Ariadne recovered, Loukia reflected on the profound impact the House community had on their family’s journey. “After her surgeries, WLA became her home... other families staying here treated us like family as our family was so far away.” From volunteer groups hosting theme nights, to Meals of Love donors providing nourishing meals, to the support of Family Support Services (F.S.S.), Loukia explained how every aspect of the House helped ease the burdens of daily life and allowed her family to focus on what mattered most, Ariadne’s recovery. “It is not only a bed and a house, it is everything. It is support.” Loukia expressed deep gratitude for the Westside LA House and the volunteers who became a source of strength and comfort during a time filled with uncertainty. Reflecting on their journey, she shared, “Thank you to the Westside LA House, we managed to stay here for just shy of a year and we are now able to go back home and Ariadne is stable.”
