From stressful-sleepless nights spent worrying to days spent in the hospital waiting to bring baby home, having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be a. Among all the stress, one foundation is chipping in to make the road home a little easier for military and veteran families.
While the Chandlers initially paid out of pocket to stay at a hotel 20 minutes from the hospital for a few days, they soon learned that their baby boy had a breathing issue that would require a longer stay. Strapped for cash like most new parents but in need of a shorter commute to see their newborn, a case worker at the hospital recommended the Fisher House Foundation’s Hotel for Heroes program.
Just a short stay at a hotel just down the street did indeed make a big difference. “The hotel we got from [Fisher House], we were 30 seconds away. It was amazing,” Erica said. “And the staff at the hotel, on day one, I had gotten a room and check-in was at, I think 3, and I called the hotel at noon, crying because I was so tired. And the woman was like, ‘Honey, come now. We have a room for you. Just come.’ They didn’t care that we were early.