Have you utilized a Fisher House? Do you know someone who has? What is the benefit of the Fisher House?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:51:26 -0500

The Fisher House is an amazing resource from what I have seen. It is modeled from the Ronald McDonald House concept but designed specifically for families of Servicemembers or Veterans receiving in-patient hospital care at a military post. Families can stay for free for a limited time while they attend to their loved one.

Have you utlized a Fisher House? Do you know someone who has? What is the benefit of the Fisher House. I am specifically looking for first hand experience stories.

Thank you for sharing!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 6:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:19:42 -0500

I never utilized the Fisher House, but when the one on LRMC opened and it was being used after the wars kicked off, I can tell you how it eased the minds of family members. It eased off a LARGE amount of stress and worry.

Response by SSgt Obom Bowen made Mar 9 at 2016 6:43 PM

SSgt Obom Bowen — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:43:09 -0500

CH (MAJ) William Beaver not my family, but I vullenteered to help out with this amazing organization before.

Response by SSgt Obom Bowen made Mar 9 at 2016 6:44 PM

SSgt Obom Bowen — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:44:04 -0500

SSG Gerald Paulsen would have some great nuggets for you if I'm not mistaken

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 9 at 2016 8:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:18:46 -0500

The Fisher foundation also renovates homes and pays for flights for veterans. I believe of each $1 contributed to the foundation, 90 cents goes to veterans.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2016 10:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 10:22:33 -0500

My family and I utilized the Fisher House in Germany when I had surgery on my leg. The staff was amazing. In Germany, it was very hard to get lodging near Landsthul, it definitely provided us a nice place to stay that was close to the hospital.

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Apr 4 at 2016 12:06 AM

CW4 Brian Haas — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:06:24 -0400

I am at Walter Reed, and we have used the Fisher House here. Great organization. With my wife coming from out of town to help take care of me, the choices were Fisher House or pay for hotel. They were absolutely accommodating and it was a great stay.

Response by SFC José Velázquez made Dec 11 at 2019 9:17 PM

SFC José Velázquez — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:17:11 -0500

We are thankful for the FIsher House and their personnel. In September this year my wife had surgery at Walter Reed, Bethesda, MD. Coming from West Virginia we were able to stay on base FH that was a relief on driving and I was able to stay in the hospital most of the day without worrying about long commute. The coordination between the Hospital and the FH management was real good. You are provided with toiletry, towels and a laundry. Each room have its own bathroom, and a storage space in the kitchen with all the needs appliances to cook if you have time. Personnel very friendly and helpful
And really they make you feel Home away from Home. Also they feed you every other day because local volunteer organizations come and provide lunch or dinner this is another way to help the FH residents. I describe so you can picture from what we experience. Is a blessing having the Fisher House at the Walter Reed hospital and around other Hospitals. Thanks

Response by SFC Dennis Capshaw made Dec 11 at 2019 9:58 PM

SFC Dennis Capshaw — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:58:54 -0500

Yes, we have used the Fisher House in Vancouver , Wa. The locations sucks for people in the Portland VA Hospital due to the volume of traffic going across the I5 bridge, and the rules about absolutely no food or drink in the room suck. Otherwise it is a good deal for those who have vets in the Vancouver VA facility.

Response by MAJ Ward Odom made Dec 11 at 2019 10:56 PM

MAJ Ward Odom — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 22:56:22 -0500

When I was at Minneapolis for bypass surgery, my significant other stayed at the Fisher House there. I was there for a night, then surgery, then the day before I came home. It was very, very nice. Not only was there the very nice room but also a wide selection of food available in the kitchen. While there wasn't much interaction with any of the staff, the interaction we had was helpful, pleasant and professional.

Response by SP5 Paul Struckman made Dec 12 at 2019 12:52 AM

SP5 Paul Struckman — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:52:17 -0500

Since I have no driver I asked for use of Fisher House for a colonoscopy and was denied. Paul Struckman 6173

Response by Shannon Brookshire made Dec 12 at 2019 1:05 AM

Shannon Brookshire — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 01:05:16 -0500

I love this the fisher house I recently needed a place to stay when my so Was badly hurt from bootcamp. I can not thank them enough

Response by Cpl Dennis Higginbotham made Dec 12 at 2019 1:45 AM

Cpl Dennis Higginbotham — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 01:45:14 -0500

My wife and I spent 6 weeks at the Fisher House at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield Ca.There is no better non profit for veterans.

Response by SP6 Loretta Pasch made Dec 12 at 2019 3:06 AM

SP6 Loretta Pasch — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:06:09 -0500

My husband and I have used the Fisher House twice for the surgeries my husband needed.
We donated over eight hundred worth of food, paper, and cleaning products to the Fisher House.
We were blessed in having the use of this wonderful accommodation.

Response by Cathy Regan made Dec 12 at 2019 3:12 AM

Cathy Regan — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:12:45 -0500

Yes and it is an amazing place. Although, it was in a place that was not too secure, it was a tremendous help.

Response by 2LT Dr. Trifinia Ashmon-Ebede made Dec 12 at 2019 3:48 AM

2LT Dr. Trifinia Ashmon-Ebede — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:48:27 -0500

The Fisher House was a pure blessing to me as the Veteran for my spouse during my illness. The staff were compassionate and understanding of the patient's needs. During my 7 days stay in hospital, I was worried about my spouse. He said, "no worries the staff are taking great care of me"! That made me feel much more relaxed to properly heal. In fact, the staff took great care of my spouse during my hospital stay. I was very grateful for the support during my illness which resorted to surgery. It is was great to know that we were in great hands with great staff. I was a bit nervous not knowing what we would face, they were very supportive, provided a healthy meal, kitchen to prepare meals, housekeeping, and many additional groceries were available of needed. It was a pleasure to have the experience to experience, unfortunately at a time of health scare. Know knowing and having the experience, i would consider it a home away from home!

Response by SGT Thomas Radcliffe made Dec 12 at 2019 4:05 AM

SGT Thomas Radcliffe — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 04:05:14 -0500

My wife stayed at the Fisher House in W. Roxbury, MA. When I was having a few of my neuro-surgeries and said it was like a home away from home. We’re very thankful that wonderful places like this are available to help with the stress during the trying times for families during major treatment.

Response by PFC Joseph P Glowacki made Dec 12 at 2019 6:12 AM

PFC Joseph P Glowacki — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:12:07 -0500

Haven’t used Fisher House

Response by SFC Jeff Rose made Dec 12 at 2019 6:23 AM

SFC Jeff Rose — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:23:25 -0500

Yes I have. It was during my trip to Brooks Army Hospital at San Antonio, TX.

Response by SPC Gerald Puetz made Dec 12 at 2019 6:35 AM

SPC Gerald Puetz — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:35:53 -0500

YES

Response by Melissa Trader made Dec 12 at 2019 9:21 AM

Melissa Trader — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:21:14 -0500

My husband and I will be using the services of the Fisher house for the first time in January. They have been wonderful working with us to get everything set up so we have one less item to worry about while my husband receives care in St. Louis.

Response by CW4 Roberta Wright-Toshumba made Dec 12 at 2019 9:23 AM

CW4 Roberta Wright-Toshumba — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:23:23 -0500

When I was demobilizing at Fort Hood I was admitted into the hospital on base. The nursing staff informed my husband and I about the Fisher House as my husband was flying in to be with me. The Fisher House was in walking distance and the social worker was so kind to inform of this wonderful opportunity. It was an amazing experience with no cost to family members. Sleeping arrangements are great and having access to so many necessities for your family is truly amazing.
The next year we visited New York to tour of the Intrepid. It was awesome to give back in donations.
Thank goodness the Fisher House was our saving grace.
Thank you Fisher House.
CW4 (RET) Roberta W Toshumba

Response by SP5 John Nugier made Dec 12 at 2019 9:24 AM

SP5 John Nugier — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:24:50 -0500

Fisher House is an Amazing place....Has all the amenities of home and a whole lot more....very first class.....I am the wife of the Veteran and they treated us first class.
I would definately use again if I had to.
Thank You Fisher House in Miami....

Response by SPC Phillip Parker made Dec 12 at 2019 9:26 AM

SPC Phillip Parker — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:26:25 -0500

I have not used Fisher House.I am a employee for the VA and Im a Army veteran and wNted to pass along that there is a new Fisher House being built at the Woody Williams VA Medical center in Huntington,WV . It will be open soon in 2020 !

Response by Vera Blaise made Dec 12 at 2019 9:45 AM

Vera Blaise — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:45:03 -0500

I did stay in one for awhile so I could be with my husband and it was nice and the security drove me back and forth from the hospital late at night and made sure I was inside as my kids and husband were worried about me walking so late as he wanted me to stay till late and this was in Albany. I can tell you no one bothers you if you need that and everything is there that you might need-coffee donuts and its clean and they don't ask for anything in return other than wash your bedding before you leave. I am so thankful for that fisher house as I would not have been able to stay as long as I did and I could not afford any hotel-motel as we didn't have much income coming in and would recommend it to everyone.

Response by PO3 Harvey DesVeaux made Dec 12 at 2019 9:46 AM

PO3 Harvey DesVeaux — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:46:21 -0500

My wife stayed at fisher house for over four weeks in Boston . Thank you for her having a very nice place for her to stay in.

Response by Amn Kimberly Paltridge made Dec 12 at 2019 10:05 AM

Amn Kimberly Paltridge — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 10:05:54 -0500

in 2018, my husband had emergency open heart surgery which was completly unexpected. He was at the VA hospital in Providence, RI and they took him by ambulance up to a VA Hospital just outside of Boston. Instead of driving back and forth (close to a 2 hour drive), they had an opening at Fischer House and said I would be able to stay there until my husband was well enough to go home.
It was an absolute blessing.
The house was beautiful - it was comfortable, felt like home. The bedrooms were quite spacious and lovely. There was a huge kitchen with snacks and drinks available and plent of space to have your own food. I could cook, do laundry, be in the living room or dining room at any time 24/7. It was a home away from home and I was a 5 minute walk from my husbands hospital room.
The staff was so friendly and mad me feel so welcome. All the guests staying there had a family member in the hospital so we all had something in common and I sat and chatted with various guests and every single person I met was thankful for Fischer House.
It was already so stressful regarding my husbands emergency operation but having FIscher House, its staff and other guests made it so much easier than having to drive back and forth from Rhode Island every day.
I dont know how many guest rooms total (Im guessing around 20 tops) but they were all large, nicely appointed and each had its own bathroom with shower. The beds were so comfy with big fluffy pillows and comfortors. And there was no cost for me to stay there. It right on the hospital pproperty with a gated parkinglot at the house for guests. There are two floors with both an elevator and large open stairway as well. There was a beautiful private garden in the back with benches along the pathway, a great waterfeature and lovely outside patio along the back of the house.
For me Fischer House was a beautiful oasis in our sea of termoil during my husbands medical crisis.
AND I have to also say that the hospital staff at the VA in Roxbury were exception. They even allowed me to stay in the hospital room overnight with my husband the night before his surgery.
I have nothing but great things to say about my experience at Fischer House.
Kim

Response by CMSgt Wendy York made Dec 12 at 2019 10:17 AM

CMSgt Wendy York — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 10:17:43 -0500

My sister stayed at the Albany-Stratton Fisher house while I had knee replacement. They treated her like family taking her back & forth to the medical facility and providing friendship and a safe place to stay.

Response by Patty Huddleston made Dec 12 at 2019 10:21 AM

Patty Huddleston — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 10:21:44 -0500

We were blessed to stay in Fisher Houses and be close to our son while he recovered from a TBI. The people we shared the home with became a support group and helped with our emotional support. We had our own room but shared a community kitchen and family room. Being walking distance away from our son’s room made it possible to be involved in his recovery. We attended his therapies and were able to be there when he needed us. It was an amazing experience. We are forever grateful for being able to use these houses in Germany, Washington DC, and Palo Alto.

Response by PO3 Robert Leathers made Dec 12 at 2019 10:39 AM

PO3 Robert Leathers — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 10:39:17 -0500

Spent 2 weeks in a Fisher House in Pittsburgh, PA while undergoing my kidney transplant surgery. Wonderful experience and very comfortable. Great services and very close to everything.

Response by Merianna Davis made Dec 12 at 2019 11:04 AM

Merianna Davis — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:04:35 -0500

I have had the privilege of staying at a Fisher House twice while my service member received care. One was the traditional Fisher House setup of many bedrooms and one kitchen and dining area. The second was more like barracks with 2 bedrooms and one shared kitchen and dining area. Both were very welcoming and accommodating not only for the needs of the family members but also for the service members to rest with their families. I cannot say enough good about the quality of the the facilities and the staff. I only wish there was one close to my home so that I could pay forward the generosity i was offered, by volunteering my time or bringing in home baked goods.

Response by PFC Mark Calleri made Dec 12 at 2019 11:28 AM

PFC Mark Calleri — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:28:46 -0500

Yes we have used this wonderfull perk,my wife and i stayed there in palo alto The day before I had lung surgery. after my surgery my wife was able to stay there(in a very nice and SAFE place)until I was discharged from Hospital

Response by SP5 claude D. Horan made Dec 12 at 2019 11:47 AM

SP5 claude D. Horan — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:47:02 -0500

we have not used Fisher House. would like some information about it.

Response by SP5 claude D. Horan made Dec 12 at 2019 11:51 AM

SP5 claude D. Horan — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:51:05 -0500

I live in Texas, do you have a Fisher House in East Texas?

Response by PO1 Christopher Blaine made Dec 12 at 2019 12:54 PM

PO1 Christopher Blaine — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 12:54:43 -0500

VA has a podcast with someone from Fisher House
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/60487/borne-the-battle-146-dave-coker-army-veteran-president-of-the-fisher-house-foundation/

Borne The Battle 146: Dave Coker – Army Veteran, President of the Fisher House Foundation -...

Two new Fisher houses opened at the James J. Peters VAMC. To mark today’s event, we interviewed the President of the Fisher House Foundation, David Coker.

Response by TSgt Bob Conley made Dec 12 at 2019 3:09 PM

TSgt Bob Conley — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:09:19 -0500

I have stayed in the Fisher House twice in the last month at the V.W. in Cincinnati. What a wonderful place. Staying there just two days made my whole 28 years in the military worth it. I wish we hag one at every V.A, in the nation. I would help in a heart beat.
Thank
Robert J. Conley
E-6 Air Force

Response by SPC Lauri Blackwell made Dec 12 at 2019 3:12 PM

SPC Lauri Blackwell — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:12:06 -0500

My husband spent time in the Fisher House in Chicago while I was having my Gastric Sleeve operation. Thy took wonderful car of him. I can't thank them enough.

Response by SP5 Charles Russell made Dec 13 at 2019 7:12 AM

SP5 Charles Russell — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 07:12:18 -0500

My wife stayed there while I underwent heart surgery. It literally was a God send for us and eased my mind so much that she was being looked after so well. God bless those whom made it possible for our fellow service personnel to enjoy such a comfortable setting during such stressful times!

Response by LTC Donell Kelly made Dec 13 at 2019 1:00 PM

LTC Donell Kelly — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 13:00:07 -0500

I first knew of Fisher House was @ LRMC in ‘05 through ‘06 time frame. They were heavily utilized by family of wounded who weren’t stable enough for days, even weeks before they could be evaced to CONUS. Glad to say there’s now a Fisher house on the grounds of my local VA. They’re a huge benefit to family members who’d have to travel many miles to visit w/loved ones.

Response by PO3 Boyd Adkison made Dec 14 at 2019 9:55 AM

PO3 Boyd Adkison — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 09:55:39 -0500

Wife used Fisher House in Seattle while I underwent surgery for cancer.
Fabulous, loving, caring atmosphere right next to the hospital. She had everything she needed and caring support. We can't say enough good things about the Fisher House.

Response by PO1 Redone Heart made Dec 14 at 2019 10:33 AM

PO1 Redone Heart — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 10:33:31 -0500

I have used a Fisher House on several occasions. The first time we became acquainted with Fisher House was while we were traveling and I was admitted to Hines VA Hospital in Chicago. I had pneumonia and ended up in Hines for a week. The first day I was admitted a woman came in and asked where my wife was staying and I told her an hour away with my nephew. She had staff contact her when my wife came in that day and secured her a room in the Fisher House next to the hospital where we became aware of the history of these incredible lodgings. Since then we have stayed at two different Fisher Houses in Minneapolis when I was there for cardiac or colonoscopy procedures. Fantastic experiences and wonderful the way they provide for veterans and their families. Recommend to all our friends and others that, if they want to give to a charity, this is the one. Very small amount of contribution is used for administrative expenses and one of very few four star Charitynavigator charities.

Response by LTC Elizabeth Stead made Dec 14 at 2019 10:37 AM

LTC Elizabeth Stead — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 10:37:01 -0500

Yes I stayed in the Fisher House in Tampa after my son was shot in Afghanistan and was receiving tx at the Tampa VA. The Fisher House is a godsend for families, I don't know what I would have done without it.