FISHER HOUSE - HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES

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Wounded Warriors participating in this year’s annual2013 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte will have family by their side to cheer them on, thanks to generous donations from Fisher House Foundation, which constructs comfort homes to provide free, temporary housing to the families of service members receiving medical care at Veterans Affairs and military hospitals around the world.

Two hundred and fifty five wounded warriors from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force, Special Operations, and the U.K. will compete in the fourth annual Warrior Games. The event will take place May 11–16, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. The Paralympic-style competition will include archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track & field, and wheelchair basketball. Prince Harry is expected to attend several events at the 2013 games.

Fisher House will provide two round-trip airline tickets to every athlete participating in the games, to allow family members to accompany them to this important event, avoiding the cost of what could be, for some families, a very expensive cross-country trip.

In addition, Fisher House Foundation has partnered with the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, Armed Forces Financial Network, America’s Fund, Hope for the Warriors, Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, Operation Homefront, and the USO Warrior and Family Care to create an all-inclusive Family Program to provide the opportunity for these families to help their loved ones continue their healing process through participation in Warrior Games.

Navy Lt. Brad Snyder’s family attended Warrior Games last year, flown in by Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles program. His family was able to see Brad compete in swimming, nearly one year after an IED explosion caused him to lose his eyesight.

“One of the toughest aspects of my rehabilitation, and one that doesn't often get mentioned, was my family’s adjustment to my visual impairment. It was very tough for my family to watch me suffer through recovery, and then struggle during rehab through even the simplest of tasks,” said Snyder, who will be an honorary torch bearer at the Opening Ceremonies this year. “It was sports that allowed my family to see me succeed. Through sport I could show my family all of the ability I still have, as opposed to perpetually showcasing my disability. Running around the track with my brother, and swimming in front of a crowd that included my sister and mother was a priceless experience for my family, and was made possible by Hero Miles, and the Fisher House Foundation. This experience brought my family together, and today we celebrate how we conquered adversity. My family is forever thankful for the Fisher House for helping us overcome the obstacles put forth by my injury.”

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