Caring For Washington's Warriors Away From Home

It all leads the families to lean on one another, which in turn makes the recovery go more smoothly, says Derrick, who probably will be in outpatient care at Walter Reed until summer.

For the Fords, just getting from one building to another is challenging. When they go for walks, Michelle pushes Derrick's wheelchair and he pulls the twins' double stroller.

On a recent day, Michelle dropped Derrick off for scuba diving therapy and then returned to the Fisher House lobby, all decorated for Christmas, lugging two babies bundled into bulky carriers.

As little Dennis let out a wail, Spc. Alex Miller, 22, whose family is living at Fisher House as his 2-year-old daughter undergoes cancer treatment, swooped in and cradled the infant boy in his arms calling him, "Mr. Studly." Soon after, Miller's wife, Amy, was feeding Trinity a bottle.

"We all know the military lifestyle, so we all help each other," said Miller, who was stationed in Germany when the family learned of his daughter's cancer.

The Fisher House where Miller lives is one of six in the Washington region and 43 nationally that provide free housing to military and veterans' families who have someone being treated at a military or VA hospital. With more than 2,600 soldiers wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan this year, it's a service that is in growing demand and there are waiting lists to get in.