Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation is an international, not-for-profit organisation established to improve the quality of life for members of the military, veterans, and their families. Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.
The Fisher House Foundation have supported the Invictus Games and the Foundation since its inception - all the while championing the role of friends and family within the recovery journey for wounded injured and sick service personnel and veterans. They also support the US Team in their journey to the Games.
Eric McElvenny is a veteran wounded in Afghanistan, who credits Fisher House Foundation with supporting his recovery by allowing his family to be nearby:
Eric McElvenny deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in August 2011. His mission ended when an IED blast knocked Eric on his back. The bomb claimed his right leg below the knee, damaged tissue on his left leg, shot shrapnel into his arm and caused a jarring concussion.
At home in San Diego, Rachel McElvenny struggled to keep calm while awaiting her husband’s return to the U.S. and news on his condition. Their daughter Lupe, then 5, reacted differently – with joy and excitement.
The military sent Eric to Naval Medical Center San Diego for treatment. His parents arrived quickly from Pittsburgh, and were always near him thanks to accommodations at the Fisher House next door.
“When you’re in that situation, you don’t think, ‘Oh, where are we going to stay? How are we going to get there? Should we rent a car?’ That’s not your mindset,” said Eric’s mother, Susan McElvenny. “You’re just, ‘Get me to the hospital – period.’”Eric says his parents put him at ease. “Every morning I looked forward to my dad coming up with coffee,” he said. “I think what the Fisher House helped provide was a constant presence.”
The McElvennys celebrated Christmas 2011 at the Fisher House with a visit from Santa, Lupe riding a new scooter, and Eric venturing outside his fourth floor hospital room for the first time. Today, Eric and Rachel are raising three kids. Eric keeps busy with studies in Christian theology. The McElvennys remain grateful for Fisher House’s role in his amazing recovery. “Fisher House did a service for us that we really, really needed but didn’t even know we needed at the time,” said Susan.
The Invictus Games plays an important role in the healing process throughout the international military community. It allows competitors to be with other wounded, injured and ill from many nations; to see how far they have come on their journey of recovery; gives them insight into how far they can go; and allows them to celebrate their victories among family and friends. Fisher House Foundation is proud to have been a part of Invictus from its inception. We know a family's love is good medicine and that the injuries or illnesses sustained by our military members also extend to their families who have supported their loved one along the journey. It is a magical time to see this healing come full circle for the whole family. We are inspired by every competitor and extremely proud to sponsor the Friends and Family programme."
Ken Fisher Chairman and CEO, Fisher House Foundation
