Fisher Houses ease financial burden, stress
By Clay Carey, USA TODAY
Carol Thomas had gotten used to sleeping on recliners and hospital couches every once in a while as her husband, Bobby, got treatment for kidney and heart problems at the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital near Chicago.
But when doctors discovered cancer and had to remove Bobby's kidneys, the Glenwood, Ill., couple learned they would be in for an extended stay.
Instead of hospital couches, Carol said she now has a real bed at a home made for families such as hers while doctors work on her husband, a 64-year-old Army veteran who served in Vietnam.
That's because an organization called Fisher House opened a facility near the Illinois hospital in March — the most recently opened of 45 houses across the country that offer free lodging to veterans who have to travel more than 50 miles to get treatment at government-run Veterans Affairs hospitals, said Cindy Campbell, community liaison with the national Fisher House Foundation. Their families can stay for free, too.
"It has really been a home away from home," said Carol Thomas, 56. She has been staying there since late April. "Without them, I don't know what we would do."
read more here
Fisher Houses ease financial burden stress
Showing posts with label Fisher House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fisher House. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Fisher family to open new TBI mental health center
New TBI, mental health center to open in June
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday May 20, 2010 10:17:57 EDT
A new 72,000-square-foot center for treatment of service members and veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions will open June 24 at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
The National Intrepid Center of Excellence, to be funded by private donations, is a project of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a nonprofit organization begun by the Fisher family for supporting service members and their families.
The family is well known in the military community for its Fisher Houses, which provide low- or no-cost lodging for families of wounded or injured service members undergoing medical treatment or rehabilitation.
read more here
New TBI, mental health center to open in June
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday May 20, 2010 10:17:57 EDT
A new 72,000-square-foot center for treatment of service members and veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions will open June 24 at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
The National Intrepid Center of Excellence, to be funded by private donations, is a project of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a nonprofit organization begun by the Fisher family for supporting service members and their families.
The family is well known in the military community for its Fisher Houses, which provide low- or no-cost lodging for families of wounded or injured service members undergoing medical treatment or rehabilitation.
read more here
New TBI, mental health center to open in June
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Fisher House recipient of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize money
Obama Funds A Place For Vets To Heal
April 10, 2010 Alan Greenblatt NPR
Fisher House one of the charities to which President Obama donated his Nobel Prize money offers housing to wounded soldiers, veterans and their families. The families find in each other support during a traumatic period in their lives.
Fisher House helped Tammy Duckworth heal. As an Army Reserve helicopter pilot in Iraq, she was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade that cost her both her legs and severely injured her right arm. Eventually, she ended up at Fisher House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The Fisher House Foundation has built 45 facilities on campus at military medical centers around the country, providing housing to veterans, wounded soldiers and their families free of charge. When he was a senator from Illinois, Barack Obama regularly visited Fisher House at Walter Reed.
First lady Michelle Obama, through her work with military families, is also "very aware" of Fisher House, says Duckworth, now an assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs. Last month, when President Obama announced that he would give his $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize money to 10 charities, Fisher House was the single largest recipient.
Fisher House saves families money during long hospital stays. More importantly, it offers them a ready-made support group. People who have already been in residence at Fisher House for months help newcomers navigate the military and hospital bureaucracies — and offer them someone to talk to who understands what they're going through.
read more here
Obama Funds A Place For Vets To Heal
April 10, 2010 Alan Greenblatt NPR
Fisher House one of the charities to which President Obama donated his Nobel Prize money offers housing to wounded soldiers, veterans and their families. The families find in each other support during a traumatic period in their lives.
Fisher House helped Tammy Duckworth heal. As an Army Reserve helicopter pilot in Iraq, she was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade that cost her both her legs and severely injured her right arm. Eventually, she ended up at Fisher House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The Fisher House Foundation has built 45 facilities on campus at military medical centers around the country, providing housing to veterans, wounded soldiers and their families free of charge. When he was a senator from Illinois, Barack Obama regularly visited Fisher House at Walter Reed.
First lady Michelle Obama, through her work with military families, is also "very aware" of Fisher House, says Duckworth, now an assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs. Last month, when President Obama announced that he would give his $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize money to 10 charities, Fisher House was the single largest recipient.
Fisher House saves families money during long hospital stays. More importantly, it offers them a ready-made support group. People who have already been in residence at Fisher House for months help newcomers navigate the military and hospital bureaucracies — and offer them someone to talk to who understands what they're going through.
read more here
Obama Funds A Place For Vets To Heal
Friday, April 2, 2010
Dad walking across country for Fisher House
Dad walking cross-country to help wounded troops' families
By Patty Lane, CNN
April 1, 2010 10:59 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Soldier's father will walk from California to Georgia
Going solo with five pairs of running shoes, two pairs of hiking boots
"Comfort homes" house injured troops' families near military hospitals
(CNN) -- Inspired by his West Point cadet son, a California man sets out Thursday on a cross-country trek to raise money for an organization that supports wounded troops and their families.
John Conte of San Diego will begin his walk at Camp Pendleton on the West Coast and expects to wrap up at Fort Benning, Georgia, sometime in July.
His goal is to raise $50,000 for Fisher House to help it build more "comfort homes." Such homes provide housing for injured soldiers' families near a hospital where their loved one is recovering. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center.
read more here
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/01/cross.country.walk/
By Patty Lane, CNN
April 1, 2010 10:59 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Soldier's father will walk from California to Georgia
Going solo with five pairs of running shoes, two pairs of hiking boots
"Comfort homes" house injured troops' families near military hospitals
(CNN) -- Inspired by his West Point cadet son, a California man sets out Thursday on a cross-country trek to raise money for an organization that supports wounded troops and their families.
John Conte of San Diego will begin his walk at Camp Pendleton on the West Coast and expects to wrap up at Fort Benning, Georgia, sometime in July.
His goal is to raise $50,000 for Fisher House to help it build more "comfort homes." Such homes provide housing for injured soldiers' families near a hospital where their loved one is recovering. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center.
read more here
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/01/cross.country.walk/
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wounded, uprooted find solace at Fisher House
Wounded, uprooted find solace at Fisher House
By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 22, 2009 11:04:51 EST
WASHINGTON — Michelle Ford had newborn twins and a husband severely wounded in Afghanistan when she got the offer to move into a group home on the campus of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Living with other families made her apprehensive, but she agreed. It turned out to be a wise decision.
While the rest of Washington is wrapped up in its holiday hustle, the Ford family is finding the homey atmosphere and camaraderie of Fisher House to be a salve and a source of support as husband Derrick recovers from injuries suffered during a roadside bombing in Afghanistan in mid-August. The couple and 3-month-old twins Trinity and Dennis live with 10 other families, each of whom has a service member or relative being cared for at the hospital.
read more here
Wounded uprooted find solace at Fisher House
By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 22, 2009 11:04:51 EST
WASHINGTON — Michelle Ford had newborn twins and a husband severely wounded in Afghanistan when she got the offer to move into a group home on the campus of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Living with other families made her apprehensive, but she agreed. It turned out to be a wise decision.
While the rest of Washington is wrapped up in its holiday hustle, the Ford family is finding the homey atmosphere and camaraderie of Fisher House to be a salve and a source of support as husband Derrick recovers from injuries suffered during a roadside bombing in Afghanistan in mid-August. The couple and 3-month-old twins Trinity and Dennis live with 10 other families, each of whom has a service member or relative being cared for at the hospital.
read more here
Wounded uprooted find solace at Fisher House
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Bike Rally raises funds for Fisher House
News 14 24 Hour Local News TOP STORIES Bike rally raises ...
Bike rally raises thousands for wounded veterans home News 14
As members of the military and their families are stationed around the world and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, the Fisher House Foundation donates the homes which enable family members to be close in their most stressful times
Master Sgt. Chuck Barden back from his 8th deployment in ten years was among the bikers riding for a cause, helping the wounded and their families have it a little bit easier. Carolina News 13 has the video report on this. They were riding for Fisher House.
Bike rally for wounded raises thousands
Bike rally raises thousands for wounded veterans home News 14
As members of the military and their families are stationed around the world and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, the Fisher House Foundation donates the homes which enable family members to be close in their most stressful times
Master Sgt. Chuck Barden back from his 8th deployment in ten years was among the bikers riding for a cause, helping the wounded and their families have it a little bit easier. Carolina News 13 has the video report on this. They were riding for Fisher House.
Bike rally for wounded raises thousands
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wal-Mart donates $500K to military charities
Wal-Mart donates $500K to military charities
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 16, 2008 17:22:59 EST
Wounded, injured and ill troops warriors and their families are the beneficiaries of more than $500,000 donated by the Wal-Mart Foundation to two national charities:
• Fisher House Foundation received $250,000 and used part of it to send out 1,000 Wal-Mart gift cards worth $100 each to its 42 comfort homes the week of Dec. 8, said Fisher House spokesman Jim Weiskopf. The cards will help families who are spending the holidays at a Fisher House because a loved one is being treated in a nearby military or veterans hospital.
An additional $95,000 is divided up between the Fisher Houses for each manager to use to benefit the residents. The remaining $55,000 will be used to defray costs of the Hero Miles tickets program that enables families to travel to be together using donated frequent flyer miles.
click link above for more
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 16, 2008 17:22:59 EST
Wounded, injured and ill troops warriors and their families are the beneficiaries of more than $500,000 donated by the Wal-Mart Foundation to two national charities:
• Fisher House Foundation received $250,000 and used part of it to send out 1,000 Wal-Mart gift cards worth $100 each to its 42 comfort homes the week of Dec. 8, said Fisher House spokesman Jim Weiskopf. The cards will help families who are spending the holidays at a Fisher House because a loved one is being treated in a nearby military or veterans hospital.
An additional $95,000 is divided up between the Fisher Houses for each manager to use to benefit the residents. The remaining $55,000 will be used to defray costs of the Hero Miles tickets program that enables families to travel to be together using donated frequent flyer miles.
click link above for more
Thursday, November 13, 2008
T. Boone Pickens donating money from his book to help wounded troops
I was watching the Daily Show last night and T. Boone Pickens was talking about his new book. The great thing was he also announced that the money from the book, is going to Brooke Army Medical Center and Fisher House! This is a great thing.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=210176&title=t.-boone-pickens
The First Billion Is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future (Hardcover)
by T. Boone Pickens (Author)
The First Billion Is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future (Hardcover)
by T. Boone Pickens (Author)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mike Cox still walking for the troops
Walking for the troops
By Patrick Dickson, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, July 24, 2008
WASHINGTON — There are a lot of individuals doing a lot of things to show their support for the troops, but not many like Mike Cox.
The Kirkwood, Mo., native is walking 850 miles, from his hometown to Washington to raise money for two purposes: $35,000 to put new computers in the USO facility at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and $25,000 to help build a Fisher House in nearby St. Louis.
go here for more
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56326
By Patrick Dickson, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, July 24, 2008
WASHINGTON — There are a lot of individuals doing a lot of things to show their support for the troops, but not many like Mike Cox.
The Kirkwood, Mo., native is walking 850 miles, from his hometown to Washington to raise money for two purposes: $35,000 to put new computers in the USO facility at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and $25,000 to help build a Fisher House in nearby St. Louis.
go here for more
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56326
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Operation Homefront provides free apartments for wounded families
Apartments near Walter Reed give space to wounded and their families
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, July 17, 2008
WASHINGTON — Three-year-old Madeline Wood rushed into the apartment and immediately jumped onto the pink teddy bear on top of a children’s bed.
"It’s mine!" she said, alternating between hugging the stuffed animal and the bed itself.
It isn’t yet, but soon the unit will be home to the family of Sgt. Travis Wood, who was wounded in Afghanistan 18 months ago. Since then he has been rehabbing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and for the past few months living with other wounded patients and their families in one of the campus’ Fisher Houses.
"You’re so close to the hospital … but sharing the space, when you have a family, you have no personal time, no privacy," he said. "This is an incredible opportunity to have more space, to be able to live your own life."
That opportunity, made possible through Operation Homefront, will put 15 families of wounded warriors in free, fully-furnished apartments just a few miles away from the medical campus.
Officials said the project, dubbed Operation Homefront Village, is an effort to help their transition from outpatient life to a return home. The charity has already opened similar off-campus family housing near Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.
click post title for more
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, July 17, 2008
WASHINGTON — Three-year-old Madeline Wood rushed into the apartment and immediately jumped onto the pink teddy bear on top of a children’s bed.
"It’s mine!" she said, alternating between hugging the stuffed animal and the bed itself.
It isn’t yet, but soon the unit will be home to the family of Sgt. Travis Wood, who was wounded in Afghanistan 18 months ago. Since then he has been rehabbing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and for the past few months living with other wounded patients and their families in one of the campus’ Fisher Houses.
"You’re so close to the hospital … but sharing the space, when you have a family, you have no personal time, no privacy," he said. "This is an incredible opportunity to have more space, to be able to live your own life."
That opportunity, made possible through Operation Homefront, will put 15 families of wounded warriors in free, fully-furnished apartments just a few miles away from the medical campus.
Officials said the project, dubbed Operation Homefront Village, is an effort to help their transition from outpatient life to a return home. The charity has already opened similar off-campus family housing near Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.
click post title for more
Monday, January 21, 2008
Ninth annual Newman’s Own awards kick off
Ninth annual Newman’s Own awards kick off
By Karen Jowers - Staff writerPosted : Monday Jan 21, 2008 16:55:36 EST
Does your organization have an idea for improving the quality of life for service members and their families?
Submit your proposal to the Newman’s Own Awards competition, which will give grants totaling $75,000 to volunteer and not-for-profit organizations. This marks the ninth year of the competition, jointly sponsored by Newman’s Own, Fisher House Foundation and the Military Times Media Group, publisher of the Military Times newspapers and their Web sites.
The deadline for submitting proposals is May 2. The most innovative plan will receive $15,000. The remaining $60,000 will be divided among the other top-scoring entries, in varying dollar amounts.
To date, the competition has recognized 99 organizations with grants totaling $430,000. Last year’s winning entry was the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, which connects injured service members with communities that mobilize attorneys, financial counselors, real estate professionals and other volunteers to help service members with housing, transportation, employment, mentoring and ongoing support.
This year’s winners will be announced in August.
For more information, visit the Fisher House Web site or call (888) 294-8560.
By Karen Jowers - Staff writerPosted : Monday Jan 21, 2008 16:55:36 EST
Does your organization have an idea for improving the quality of life for service members and their families?
Submit your proposal to the Newman’s Own Awards competition, which will give grants totaling $75,000 to volunteer and not-for-profit organizations. This marks the ninth year of the competition, jointly sponsored by Newman’s Own, Fisher House Foundation and the Military Times Media Group, publisher of the Military Times newspapers and their Web sites.
The deadline for submitting proposals is May 2. The most innovative plan will receive $15,000. The remaining $60,000 will be divided among the other top-scoring entries, in varying dollar amounts.
To date, the competition has recognized 99 organizations with grants totaling $430,000. Last year’s winning entry was the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, which connects injured service members with communities that mobilize attorneys, financial counselors, real estate professionals and other volunteers to help service members with housing, transportation, employment, mentoring and ongoing support.
This year’s winners will be announced in August.
For more information, visit the Fisher House Web site or call (888) 294-8560.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Wounded Wives veterans care lacking, wives care missing
PTSD
Name: Josie Salzman
Posting date: 8/13/07
Husband: returned from Iraq
Hometown: Menomenie, WI
Milblog url: lifeinacrackerbox.blogspot.com
I sit tonight in the kitchen of the Fisher House just staring at the TV while trying to collect my thoughts. The country has been informed that the Army has realized there is a need for more mental health professionals to aid soldiers returning from war with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). They claim to be adding two hundred new employees to help combat the never-ending war that remains in our loved ones' minds. I wish more than anything that tonight I could take a deep breath, relax, and fall asleep with the confidence that our military is taking the proper steps to ensure my family is able to heal from the violence we have encountered.
Unfortunately, that's not an option.
One of the first nights I had with my husband after his injury will forever be burned into my mind. He had been in an excruciating amount of pain the entire evening. It was still early in his hospital stay so the doctors had yet to find a pain cocktail that his body responded to. Just like the evening before, the nurse entered the room and handed J.R. a cup filled to the top with pills. Desperate to make the pain subside for a few hours, J.R. swallowed them in one giant mouthful. An hour later he was drifting off to sleep.
I started making my bed for the night after I was sure he was sleeping. This would be my second night of sleeping in the foldout chair that I would soon learn to hate. I had no more than crawled under the covers when J.R. sat bolt upright in bed. "Get them off me. Get them off me now. The bugs, they're all over me, get them off. They're in the bed. Make them go away."
Unsure of what he was talking about, I jumped out of bed and rushed to calm him down. After a grueling twenty minutes he was able to once again close his eyes. It didn't last. Again his mind took over in his sleep. This time he felt as if someone was in the room and he was under attack. He awoke panicked and sweat-soaked. I sat on his bed and held him in my arms. I promised him that if he just closed his eyes he would be able to sleep and that everything would be fine. I was in the room and I was going nowhere. But everything wasn't fine. No more than an hour after he closed his eyes the terror began. On this night J.R. would relive the entire accident.
click post title for the rest
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