With ten kids between them, Marie and Greg know a thing or two about family.

They first found the Family House in 2014 after their 22 year old son was hospitalized for a series of uncontrollable seizures. After being sent home with a recuperating son, Greg’s sister came to live with them. Soon after, Diane suffered a massive stroke that left her paralyzed and was sent to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Unsure if she would survive, Greg and Marie returned to the Family House many nights with tears in their eyes, thankful for the staff and volunteers that offered their support. “We came in at night so upset and the employees/volunteers would take time and just let us talk, we cried together, I felt as if they really cared,” said Marie. They returned in December after Greg’s sister suffered two more strokes.

“Without you, she would have been here all alone with a stroke from December 17, 2015 until January 27 2016.”

The Shells are both on disability for their own medical issues, so extended hotel stays were out of the question. They also found a community at the Family House they simply couldn’t have found elsewhere. The Shells loved to cook, play games, and check in with the other guests staying in the Family House. Meanwhile, with her family by her side, Diane worked hard to recover her health and mobility.

On January 27, we met Greg’s sister. We watched her walk out the door with her family.

Do you have your own story from staying, volunteering, or donating to the Family House?  Share yours here.