Madeline Bade is teasing her dad during his interview. While he’s trying to describe her, she flexes and points to her bicep. He laughs: “She’s tough. Spirited. Strong in every way.”
At 23, Madeline is smack dab in the middle of five siblings, and she credits her family as a huge part of her recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). For her parents, Pat and Julie, watching their children rally around their sister has been one of the most meaningful parts of this journey.
“It’s the stuff you wished for when they were younger when they were beating each other up and arguing about every little thing,” said Pat.
A Call that Changes Everything
On May 28, Pat got a phone call that changed everything. Madeline had been in a serious car crash. She was airlifted to Hurley Hospital in Flint, Michigan, where she spent three weeks in a coma, dependent on a ventilator.
When Madeline began to wake, her parents immediately started looking for rehabilitation facilities nearby. Nothing felt right. So, they expanded their search to specialty destination rehabilitation hospitals worth the longer drive for outstanding care and TBI outcomes.
Choosing Mary Free Bed
A family friend, who is a nurse, connected them with a Mary Free Bed patient access coordinator. The next day, Julie and Pat drove two hours from Fenton to tour Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids.
“We knew immediately when we came here for the tour that it was the place for Madeline and for us,” Julie said. “It was so inviting. The people here are just so kind.”
The inviting atmosphere mattered, but it was Mary Free Bed’s unique family-centered rehabilitation model that sealed the decision. Her siblings would be encouraged to take part in her therapy—something the Bades knew would motivate their daughter.
As a former athlete, Madeline thrived when therapy became competitive. Her therapists tapped into that drive, inviting her brother to kick soccer balls down the hallway and building goals she could measure with numbers.
Therapy with Purpose
At Mary Free Bed, every therapy is designed with real-life outcomes in mind. For Madeline, that meant preparing for independence at home and building the skills she’d need when she was ready to return to work.
Before her accident, Madeline worked in medical device sales. Her speech-language pathologist, Lizbeth, wove work-related context into her therapy—creating flashcards with photos of medical devices to strengthen memory and recall.
“If we can relate our therapy tasks to daily life in some way, it’s much more likely to generalize and improve over time,” Lizbeth explained.
Occupational therapy targeted everyday activities like making meals and building stamina for a full day—skills that are vital for returning to the workforce. Physical therapy rebuilt her strength, balance, and coordination.
Recreational therapy drew in her hobbies, including sports and animals, with help from Faith, a certified animal-assisted therapy dog. After Madeline’s tracheostomy was removed, she even practiced voice projection by giving Faith commands.
By the end of her stay in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, Madeline and Faith were walking side by side.
The Power of Connection
As Madeline made progress, she built friendships that fueled her recovery. “She constantly had a posse with her,” Lizbeth recalled, noting the steady stream of siblings, Michigan State University roommates, and staff by her side.
Her parents formed connections with staff as well, several team members joked Pat could be an honorary physical therapist by the end of Maddie’s stay. Maddie quickly bonded with her care team. Even before she could speak, her sass and humor shone through—and those professional relationships grew into genuine friendships.
The Bade family may have arrived as patient and caregivers, but they left as friends.
“I see love around the whole place. They care about people,” Madeline said.
Looking Ahead
By the end of her inpatient stay, Madeline was walking, talking, and planning for what comes next, including a return to the career she loves. She knows recovery takes time, but she left Mary Free Bed with the tools, confidence and determination to move forward.
When asked where her determination comes from, Madeline shrugged, “I should probably say my parents,” she admitted, “but I watch a lot of crime shows.” Her favorites are NCIS and Criminal Minds. Her dogs, Mabel and Stella, will be more than happy to watch TV with her when she returns home.
While Madeline’s story is remarkable, her advice to future patients is simple: “They’re all helpful, so open your heart up to everyone. Never hesitate with anything. Whatever you’re feeling, say it.”
About Occupational Therapy at Mary Free Bed
Following a brain injury, occupational therapy helps restore the connection between brain and body, preparing patients for independence and a safe return to the life they want. That includes everyday tasks—like cooking, dressing, or driving—as well as the specialized skills needed to re-enter the workforce.
At Mary Free Bed, occupational therapists collaborate with a team of rehabilitation specialists – including physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, recreational therapists (and dogs!), respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians to design personalized plans for every patient. The goal is clear: maximize recovery, restore independence, and support patients in returning to work and daily life after injury.
To learn more about occupational therapy at Mary Free Bed, contact us today.
