Home Away From Home for the Holidays

Home Away From Home for the Holidays

By Ashley Estill

12.14.11


During the holiday season, we often take for granted how much we appreciate having our family close by. Being surrounded by loved ones brings a sense of comfort and ease that is unmatched by anything or anyone else. But what if your family was half way around the world? Or injured and thousands of miles away?

Luckily for the Crabbe family, Fisher House was able to give them a “home away from home” so they could be with their injured son, Corporal Justin Crabbe, USMC after he was wounded in Afghanistan. On August 26, Justin was in an IED blast and lost both legs.

Justin spent 13 weeks (and counting) recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Throughout his recovery his mom Maureen, father Cliff and sister Jennifer, have been by his side. From California, there was no way that the Crabbe family would be away from Justin during this critical time.

After 13 weeks of recovery, Justin is now an out-patient, but his family isn’t going anywhere.  Cliff physically stays with Justin because he’s the “muscle” of the family and can lift Justin if necessary. They reside in Building 62, a wounded warrior barracks, remaining close to the hospital and rehabilitation. Maureen and Jen weren’t sure where they were going to live, but they were told of a wonderful opportunity.

Fisher House stepped in and provided Maureen and Jennifer a home. Fisher House provides a home for families of patients receiving care at major military and VA medical centers. Providing a private suite for families, the homes also are equipped with large communal areas like a dining, living, family room and kitchen. Guests are able to have a sense of community with families going through similar situations, while having their room to retreat to for some privacy.

“Jen and I sort of became homeless,” explained Maureen. “That’s when we found out about the Fisher House. We were blessed to get a room so we can be here throughout Justin’s rehabilitation. We all want to be involved in his care.”

And they are.

Maureen and Jen are close by to attend appointments, meetings and physical therapy with the four-year Marine. The entire family is there to be Justin’s cheerleaders and make sure he continues to recover.

“As a family we can take breaks and shifts and still be with Justin,” Jen said. “We all were there to see him walk for the first time. I think Justin enjoys us all being here.”

Within walking distance to Justin, Maureen and Jen have a comforting home to retreat to, where they relax and bring some normalcy back into their lives. It’s a home, not a hotel, and the Crabbe family appreciates everything the “comfort home” has to offer.

“Let me tell you, these families understand what you’re going through,” Maureen said. “When we first got here, the shock is overwhelming; you don’t realize the fog you’re in. But when you’ve got another family welcoming you and promising you things will get better, it’s amazing.”

“I can even come downstairs, grab a couch and just read,” she continued. “This is just so nice; it’s going to help us so much.”

Being in a Fisher House not only allows families to be close to their loved one, but they can support one another as they watch their service member recover.

The Crabbe family was able to attend a barbeque in October with several other wounded service member families. Pot-luck style, each family prepared a dish, took advantage of the nice day and enjoyed the beautiful patio Fisher House offers.

“It was so much fun to have a normal barbeque and hang out with family,” Jen said.

“All the guys are injured,” Maureen added. “To be able to see them all laugh was so nice.”

Justin has continued to progress extremely well and is ready to finish healing and move on with his life. But until then, his family will remain at the Fisher House and by his side. They’re looking forward to spending Christmas together and making Christmas cookies at the Fisher House.

“We’re so excited to have a kitchen; it’s just such a blessing to be here.”