Imagine a beautiful Victorian style, two-story home with 20 rooms equipped with big comfortable beds, a private bathroom, small fridge, television and DVD player. Some of these rooms are actually suites with a couch and a desk. All 20 rooms have their own patio or balcony.
Imagine a huge kitchen with 6 stoves, 2 microwave ovens, 4 refrigerators, 3 sinks, a huge dishwasher and a big dining area - the dream of any cook!
Imagine a big living room with comfortable seating, a big fireplace and lots of books to read. An adjacent reflection room where one can meditate, pray or just be in silence.
Think about a play room where children can be safe, and a computer room with multiple PCs an Internet access. There is also a laundry room should you need it. This gorgeous house also has a wrap around porch with gathering areas and a meditation garden where one can relax while listening to running water from the fountain.
Imagine having this as your home away from home. Wouldn't that be wonderful? This is where my family and I stayed while we were in Fresno awaiting the recovery of my brother, Sandy, who was involved in a head-on car accident.
It was around 10:00 pm, on December 10 when I received a phone call from one of my sisters. "Sandy was in a car accident and he is in critical condition in a hospital in Fresno, we have to go!", she said. We promptly made the necessary arrangements, got in the car and 3 of us sisters drove throughout the night to Fresno. We got there early the following morning and spent all day at the hospital with our brother who was very badly injured. We were scared, not knowing if our brother will survive; no one wanted to leave the hospital to look for a hotel. A social worker at the hospital told us about Terry's House. We were able to get a room to spend the night. The rest of the family arrived later, including my mom, an 85-year old lady that had made the 6 hour road trip from San Diego. She was clearly tired but she couldn't bear to leave her son's side in the hospital. Knowing that Terry's House was just across the street from the hospital, we were able to have her rest there.
My brother stayed in Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for 50 days, the same days my family stayed in Terry's House. During this time, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of the staff who were caring and compassionate.
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Ana and Evie's picture not available |
We did not know anyone in Fresno but the staff at Terry's House were very welcoming and friendly, they treated us like family. Starting with House Manager, Desirey Tolosa who on the first day put me at ease when she kept calling me on my cell phone to make sure I knew she had a room for us. And she made arrangements so Evie, a very sweet lady, would let us in and show us around the house when we arrived after hours. Evie immediately made us feel welcome and Desirey was always available to assist in any way we needed. Trina and Rebecca, two beautiful ladies who were always tending to us, were a blessing! They prayed with us, they cried with us and they shared a little bit of themselves with us. They were constantly demonstrating sincere concern for our wellbeing. A couple of nights they offered to keep an eye on my mom and keep her company while my sister an I were at the hospital with my brother. Ana and Patricia, the cleaning ladies, were always making sure we had what we needed. Sometimes they took their break with us and we shared meals and stories. They were both very sweet - especially Patricia who was kind and gracious to come on her day off to say goodbye to us the last day we were there. All these ladies and Executive Director, Christa Short, who was always very friendly, make an amazing team! They treat every family and guest with the utmost respect, care and compassion and they make everyone's stay at Terry's House an unforgettable experience. They go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure families who have loved ones in the hospital enjoy a good meal and a clean and warm place to stay, with welcoming staff that cares for each person. They are truly a blessing and an inspiration!
Terry's House is not a hotel, it is a home across the street from Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, California. Terry's House offers lodging specifically built for families with loved ones receiving care at Community Regional and is dependent entirely on private gifts and contributions.
There are many ways in which one can contribute. Some people donate money while others donate groceries, blankets or cleaning supplies. Sometimes people volunteer to come to the house and cook a dinner for all the guests. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Desirey Tolosa at dtolosa@communitymedical.org. To learn more about Terry's House and how you can support this home, please follow this link, Terry's House/Make a Gift