The Fisher House was a huge support to my family while my wife was recuperating from a gender-affirming total mastectomy. Many miles away from our own home, our stay was one of comfort and ease and held a genuine sense of community.

Immediately upon our arrival we were comforted by how warm and welcoming the Fisher House was to our little family. Tim, a staff member who quickly became a pal to our 17-month-old, graciously walked us through an impromptu tour of the home, which radiated warmth, comfort, and hospitality.

Being parents to an active little boy, we were nervous planning our stay. I was so relieved to meet another family staying in the house with their tiny baby. Right away, I could tell that families are welcomed and cherished at the Fisher House.

The playground was popular with our toddler. Many mornings were spent there. I chatted with other visiting families while our children played with one another, making small connections and leaning into the closeness that only one military family can feel for another.

We spent nearly four weeks at the Fisher House. During that time my wife was healing and vulnerable, and I was the sole caretaker of both her and our small son. Our stay made all the difference during that time–I could not imagine how much more difficult those weeks would have been if we had been left to the mercy of a hotel room. The cost alone would have generated stress that would have been counterproductive to my wife’s healing process and the immense patience it takes to care for a budding toddler in a space that is not your own.

Not only did we recover in comfort, we made so many wonderful connections with other people during our stay. Dyor, Tim, and Carol, all staff members, quickly became favorites of our son and he looked for them each time we returned to the house. We briefly shared our lives with other guests. Together, we cooked and we shared clean-up duties, early-morning coffee, and meals with one another.

I am deeply grateful to Wright-Patterson Fisher House and the Fisher House Foundation for the loving support and care we received. It was a relief to have the Fisher House as a home away from home.