Military and veteran families come to Pittsburgh during some of the most uncertain seasons of their lives. Behind every stay at the Pittsburgh Fisher House is a story of courage, resilience, and community support. These stories reflect what it means to have a home away from home.
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Staying Close Through A Long RecoveryThe Schellbergs' Story |
Steve Schellberg spent nearly three decades serving as a Naval aviator and test pilot. It was a demanding career marked by long deployments, missed milestones, and years of sacrifice shared by his wife, Michelle, and their family.
Last summer, Steve faced a new challenge: he required a major organ transplant. The specialized care he needed was available at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Oakland, more than two hours from their home in central Pennsylvania.
What might have seemed manageable for a single appointment quickly became unsustainable. Steve required repeated hospital admissions and extended outpatient treatment. The question was no longer just about medical care. It was about how Michelle could remain close during weeks of uncertainty without adding financial strain and exhaustion to an already difficult season.
That is when the Pittsburgh Fisher House stepped in.
Located on the VA campus, the Fisher House provided Michelle a place to stay just steps from the hospital, free of charge. Instead of navigating long drives or extended hotel stays, she could focus on being present for Steve.
Last summer, Steve faced a new challenge: he required a major organ transplant. The specialized care he needed was available at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Oakland, more than two hours from their home in central Pennsylvania.
What might have seemed manageable for a single appointment quickly became unsustainable. Steve required repeated hospital admissions and extended outpatient treatment. The question was no longer just about medical care. It was about how Michelle could remain close during weeks of uncertainty without adding financial strain and exhaustion to an already difficult season.
That is when the Pittsburgh Fisher House stepped in.
Located on the VA campus, the Fisher House provided Michelle a place to stay just steps from the hospital, free of charge. Instead of navigating long drives or extended hotel stays, she could focus on being present for Steve.
More than a place to sleep, it gave us the stability we needed to focus on healing.
Following the transplant, proximity became even more critical. Organ transplant patients require intensive follow-up care and must remain near the hospital in case of complications. For more than two months, Steve and Michelle stayed at the Pittsburgh Fisher House while attending frequent outpatient and diagnostic appointments, sometimes several in a single day.
The House became their base of operations. A stocked kitchen, home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers, readily available toiletries, and welcoming shared spaces removed daily burdens so they could focus on healing. These small comforts helped restore routine and calm at a time when life was difficult.
Equally important was the sense of community. Families staying at the Fisher House understand the demands of military service and the strain that comes with serious medical care. The shared spaces in the House create opportunities for connection and mutual support. Staff and volunteers quietly work to ensure practical needs are met so families can keep their attention where it belongs.
The Schellbergs’ experience is one of many. Every day, the Pittsburgh Fisher House provides military and veteran families a place to stay close to medical care and close to one another, when it matters most.
The House became their base of operations. A stocked kitchen, home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers, readily available toiletries, and welcoming shared spaces removed daily burdens so they could focus on healing. These small comforts helped restore routine and calm at a time when life was difficult.
Equally important was the sense of community. Families staying at the Fisher House understand the demands of military service and the strain that comes with serious medical care. The shared spaces in the House create opportunities for connection and mutual support. Staff and volunteers quietly work to ensure practical needs are met so families can keep their attention where it belongs.
The Schellbergs’ experience is one of many. Every day, the Pittsburgh Fisher House provides military and veteran families a place to stay close to medical care and close to one another, when it matters most.
