The Fisher House program began in 1990 when founders Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher paid off the remaining mortgage on a six 2-bedroom unit apartment building in Portsmouth Virginia operated by the Chisolm Foundation. The apartments, located several blocks outside the main gate of the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, became the first Fisher House facility. The first two Fisher Houses designed and built by the Fishers opened in 1991- at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC. A year later, the Air Force received its first Fisher House-at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Today we had the privilege to visit the very first one! While Loretta Loveless (House Manager since 1995) was out today we were left in the capable and loving hands of the Ast. Manager- the lovely Candice Edwards (since 1999). Candice drives an hour each way to "work". More like a calling. "I love people and try to do whatever it takes to take care of them". She loves being in touch with former guests via the Internet. Since OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) they have seen a lot of foot and leg injuries. Some of the new prosthetic legs have tattoos and hair! Candace manages the large DVD collection-each room has a DVD player and many find watching a movie in their room relaxing. The House was recently renovated and what a magnificent job. Candace and Keith both admired the new kitchen cabinets and the workmanship throughout. We are talking pristine clean and inviting.
On the way out we stopped at Colonial Williamsburg....hadn't been there since we lived in DC many moons ago. Yup, still looks the same.
