Fisher House Home away from home for military families

Published Aug. 4, 2009
By Angela Cutrer
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- When military families face medical challenges away from home and need a safe, affordable place to stay, the Fisher House of Keesler, Inc., fits the bill. The home-like structure occupies a shady spot inside Keesler gates, so security is one thing checked off the worry list. As for affordability, a nightly fee of $10 lends a hand in these tough economic times.

"I don't know how people pay for things when you can't work and you have to go somewhere (away from home) for treatment," said Glenda Ryan of Panama City Beach, Fla., whose husband is being treated for cancer. "We are just middle-income people and we are so happy to be here and not by ourselves anymore. They treat us like family. It's humbling."

Since its opening in 1992, Keesler's Fisher House has been a home away from home for families and outpatients receiving care in military medical facilities in Biloxi. The criteria for occupancy is the guest should be a member of the support team of the patient hospitalized or being treated at Keesler Medical Center or the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Biloxi or someone receiving treatment on an out-patient status.

Patterned after the Ronald McDonald Houses, Fisher House serves a full range of active duty, retired military and veterans from all branches of the armed services. There's no restriction on what branch of service or amount of duty length to become a guest at the Fisher House.

"All military service members are welcomed," said Larry Vetter, who has served for 10 years as executive director and manager of the facility.

The two-story, 5,000-square-foot Fisher Houses came from the generosity of New York philanthropists Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, who wanted to give back to those who have given their all so this country can remain free. Keesler's Fisher House was the sixth built of the 40 now in existence in the United States and Germany.

The purpose of Fisher House is to provide low- to no-cost lodging to families with loved ones undergoing medical treatments, surgeries or any other medical situation. Guests of the house place themselves on a waiting list (no reservations are permitted) for the accommodation in one of the nine family slots open at the houses. Lodging includes a private room, shared kitchen, dining and living rooms, and free laundry facilities. All rooms are furnished with cable television, ceiling fans, private phone lines and answering machines, and with no limit on the length of time housed.

A usual stay is five to seven days, and Fisher House sees a 95-percent annual occupancy. Most families are here with cancer patients, Vetter noted. In 2008, Fisher House served 535 families, and so far this year, 263 families. T

though the Fishers provided the building, it's up to public funds to keep it going.

"We don't use tax dollars -- we survive solely on public donations," said Vetter, who notes that there is no administrative overhead funded by public dollars. "When you donate to the Fisher House, 100 percent goes to the house."

Contributions keeps costs low for patients and their families, and Mr.Vetter said, "Our hope is that with enough donations, we can reduce or eliminate guest fees altogether in the future.

"We need to take care of our own (military members) and their families," he added. "The public support is minimal because we don't provide a service to the public -- we serve only our military and their families. It's important for us to support a place like this because our military families deserve it, and, well, you never know when one of these days you might need to use it yourself."

Guests leave their mark on Mr. Vetter, who recalls one Louisiana boat-dwelling gentleman who stayed at the facility every other month for 3½ years before dying in February from brain tumors.

"He didn't have much, but he always brought Louisiana mudcakes for the guests," Vetter said. And he'll never forget the pregnant woman being interviewed by a local television station in the Fisher House dining room.

"She went into labor," Vetter said, "and we called 911. The film crew actually followed her to the hospital."

The Fisher House has been adopted by local groups, including members of the Heritage United Methodist Church and 335th Training Squadron financial management officer classes, who cook and serve meals for the guests monthly. It's not taken for granted by the guests.

"We are so impressed with everything," Mrs. Ryan said. "From the minute you walk in and see the photo and the bronze bust of the Fishers, you just know those people must be in heaven to have done this for so many hurting people."

She and her husband, Justin, have been at Fisher House since April while he receives daily treatment for Stage 4B base of the tongue cancer that has spread to his spine and lymph glands.

"When my husband seems ill, I can talk to the people at the Fisher House and they can help me confirm what is in my heart -- whether he needs to taken to the hospital or not," she said.

Mrs. Ryan first stayed in a rented condo off base which left Mrs. Ryan alone to deal with daily issues.

"I couldn't leave my husband to grocery shopping or to the pharmacy," she said. "I had no one to help me and I felt so alone."

First tipped off about the Fisher House by a scheduler at the VA, the Ryans visited the facility and were flabbergasted by the house's warm, welcoming atmosphere.

"My husband was worried that it was like the 1960s base housing he remembered from the Vietnam era -- no comfort and no air conditioning," she said. "But it's like a bed and breakfast. We couldn't believe it. I knew (then) that when I came home (from staying with her husband in the hospital), I would be safe."

The hardship of being away from home has lessened for her husband since staying at Fisher House.

"It's helped him because of the treatments, but also because of Fisher House," Mrs. Ryan said. They were even allowed to put a special recliner in their room so that her husband can sleep propped upright as required by his doctors.

"I tell everyone I know that they should support the Fisher House because you can actually see where your dollars go. I am humbled and feel so privileged to be able to stay here during this difficult time."

It's the little things that count these days for the Ryans. When they leave Biloxi for a different type of treatment in Houston for Mr. Ryan, they won't fret too much about their accommodations. There's a Fisher House there, too.