Photography: Carmen Bird.
Walking back into the Ronald McDonald House art room was a full-circle moment for Tiff McLeod and her daughter Mela. It was their sanctuary for years, but this time they were returning as teachers, bringing the creative programme back to life.
“It’s like coming home,” smiles Tiff, 41.
For more than five years, Tiff’s daughter Eva was in Starship Hospital after being born with a hole in her diaphragm.
Meanwhile, a then-pre-school Mela, so used to her days revolving around Eva’s needs, found freedom in paint, clay, colour and kindness in the art room.
“Straightaway, we were wrapped up in this world of love,” remembers Tiff.
Art that felt like family
The art classes became an integral part of Mela’s childhood and her teachers became like family.
Tiff shares, “The teachers, Andrea and Emmy, were such a support for Mela, maybe even more than me because I was a single mum and so distracted with Eva.”
Fast-forward to 2024 and Mela, now 20, bumped into Andrea while on a walk. They instantly bonded again, realising Mela is now studying the same visual arts degree that Andrea once did.
Restarting the Starship foundation art classes
Six months after their chance encounter, Andrea reached out with some great news. For the first time since Covid, when the art classes were stopped, some funding was now available to restart them.
“When Andrea asked if we would be interested in running the classes, with Mela at night and myself during the day for the school based at Ronald McDonald House, I don’t think we’ve jumped at anything faster,” laughs Tiff.
Ronald McDonald House is an independent charity that provides around 4500 families each year with free accommodation and support when their child is in hospital.
Emotional connections through art
Speaking through tears, Tiff tells the Weekly, “It gets quite emotional seeing these kids learn so much and let themselves out through their art. It is incredible – it’s like watching my girls
all over again.”
Even Mela’s old apron is still hanging up.
“When Mela walked in the first time, she saw her little art jacket she wore every night for all those years,” recalls Tiff.
Art as a lifeline
Art has always been a lifeline for Tiff, too.
“It’s been my outlet my whole life,” she admits.
“Every night, I was painting on the ward outside Eva’s room. It was my way of processing things.”
The pair now pour their hearts – and often their own money – into the classes.
“We’re seriously lacking donations of art supplies, but we want to make sure it continues and to do cool things that will stay in their memories forever,” says Tiff.
Creative chaos and joy
The sessions are creative chaos – “Mela and I are both very messy artists” – with lava-lamp wrapping paper, tie-dyeing and rock painting among the favourite recent activities for patients and their siblings.
Whenever her health allows it, Eva, now 18, volunteers alongside her mum and sister.
“To be 18 is an absolute miracle and there’s not a single day we’re not thankful for that,” beams Tiff.
“So many doctors said, ‘Your daughter’s not going to make it.’”
Battling daily challenges
While Eva has defied the odds, she still battles daily after relapsing in 2024, which has left her unable to eat or drink, relying instead on an IV line for all of her nutritional needs. Eva’s biggest health issues now are a tube in her bowel that keeps bursting and another hole in her diaphragm, which is causing her spleen and stomach to push into her chest cavity.
Because of past scarring, there is no surgical fix doctors know of yet for either problem.
“It’s been a really hard year watching her go through that,” says Tiff.
“But there are also some positives. She moved from Starship into adult services. “There’s a lot of criticism around our health system and we all know there are terrible faults, but from
a care perspective for Eva, it’s been incredible. Just as good as Starship.”
First family adventure on hold
Another highlight for Tiff and husband Jason was taking Eva, Mela and their younger siblings Cooper, nine, and Kenzie, four, to Australia in November.
“Eva had never left the country – none of our kids had – because we weren’t going to leave Eva out and she just wasn’t stable enough to ever go.”
Now the close-knit family’s preparing to support Eva as she embarks on an early childhood education qualification.
“Despite everything, she’s still living her best life – she laughs until her tummy hurts, plus she’s full of energy when she can be, and happy to give back and help others,” smiles Tiff.
“That’s our whole thing, making people see life is really precious and we all have the ability to do good in the world.”
To donate to Ronald McDonald House, visit rmhc.org.nz/donate
