From Brian

 

For Brian Johannson, Valour Place truly is “a home away from home, a place of hope and a supportive community”.  One of the first RCMP families to stay there for a long period, Brian credits the home to a quick recovery for his daughter Morgan.  “Having a comfortable space that felt like home, I feel helped her recover faster than being in the hospital during the time that she was in the out-patient recovery program”

Brian’s daughter Morgan, who has cerebral palsy, was scheduled for a surgery in Edmonton in 2013. With the family being from Red Deer, Brian knew he would need to find adequate accommodations for him and his family on their 4 month anticipated stay. One week before Morgan’s surgery, Brian’s Superintendent got in touch with him and told him about Valour Place.  Brian looked it up online and felt a sense of relief to see the home like atmosphere his family would be able to live in while also saving around $300 per day for hotel and meal expenses.

Brian and his family checked in at Valour Place on January 19, 2013 and stayed until the middle of April.  With a family of 3 kids, Valour Place provided them with 2 rooms and plenty of space to enjoy and live comfortably.  As if that wasn’t enough, Valour Place also offered rooms when they were available to family that came to visit the Johannson’s.

The experience with the volunteers, staff and other families at Valour Place is something Brian will never forget. “Whether you wanted space to be alone with your own family or to share a meal in the common areas, the home gave each of us the space and support we needed.”

As with many people who stay at Valour Place, Brian not only received a tremendous amount while there but he also gave back as much as he could. “When patio furniture was delivered, I helped to put it together as well as some bookshelves.  The volunteers and staff became family and I wanted to help where I could.  We also worked to improve the gym on site and rallied together with family, friends and the RCMP to donate a number of equipment pieces for the space”