Residence Planned for Families of Wounded Military

Residence Planned for Families of Wounded Military

WSMV-TV Nashville

By Nancy Amons

06.01.11

"It makes me feel really proud," Autery said.

The former Marine lost his arm in Iraq in 2004."My Humvee ran over an improvised explosive device and basically shredded my arm," Autery said.His arm was amputated at about the elbow. He wears a prosthetic device.When Autery was hurt, his parents in Tennessee got a call saying if they left right away, they could arrive at Bethesda Hospital in Washington about the same time as their son."We packed a few bags. We had no idea where we were going to stay, what we were going to do, " said Rick Autery, Ryan's father.It turns out, they didn't have to find a hotel, because there was a Fisher House near Bethesda. It's similar to Ronald McDonald houses, but for the military. The houses have kitchens, common areas and suites where families can stay while their loved ones are being treated.Fort Campbell has a Fisher House, and now there's a plan to build one near the VA hospital in Murfreesboro.The building will cost about $6 million. Three million of that needs to be raised locally. According to Andrea Lawrence, president of the Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, they have almost $1 million and need $2 million more.Lawrence said it's important for a VA hospital to have a Fisher House because veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, such as Ryan Autery, will need continuing care for a long time."It's a proven fact that without the family there, they do not heal as well. The family's love makes a big difference," said Lawrence."I can't say enough about the Fisher House," said Rick Autery.He said when he and his wife lived at the Fisher House, they appreciated the support and guidance of other families who were going through the same things they were facing."They knew where the restaurants were. They knew who to contact in the military," he said.Ryan Autery said having his family there after his surgery made all the difference in his recovery.He retired from the Marines in 2005 and now works for a beer distributor. He uses the hook on his prosthetic arm to restock cases of beer."For the most part, I make it work. Adapt and overcome; that's what we're trained for," Ryan Autery said.For more information about Fisher House and its fundraising campaign, go to www.TennesseeFisherHouse.org.Donations can also be mailed to Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 774, Brentwood, TN, 37024.If you would like more information about Fisher House, or would like a speaker to visit your group, contact Andrea Lawrence at 615-916-1310 or TennesseeFisherHouse@comcast.net.