West MI Whitecaps Players Bring Smiles with Heartwarming Visit
Two West Michigan Whitecaps players took time out of their schedules ahead of playoff season to meet with kids patients at the Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids Campus. Lucas Bradshaw is recovering from a brain injury in the Mary Free Bed Kids Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. He’s a huge baseball fan, so he took advantage of […]
Detroit Area Man Returns Home after 5 Months in Hospital After Car Crash
Imagine being trapped underneath a car for one hour while emergency crews tried to rescue you… Now imagine being the hospital for five months working on regaining the strength and function to be safely ready to return home… Surrounded by dozens of cheering hospital staff, Sawyer Pierce, walked down the hall to continue his recovery […]
The Toughest Workout: Personal Trainer’s Recovery Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Forest Hills Northern and Davenport University hockey alum is inspiring others through his determination and recovery following a traumatic brain injury. After an accident on his one-wheeler, Marc Anderson, a personal trainer at MVP Athletic Club, was fighting for his life. The 29-year-old sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in September 2024. Anderson underwent multiple […]
#SamStrong: A Village Rallies for Teen after his Traumatic Brain Injury
In September, 16-year-old Sam Smalldon was airlifted to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital after a car crash. Sam was driving in his hometown of Holland, when he lost control of his Chevy Cruze, hit several trees and was thrown from the car. The impact was so violent, the car split in two. Sam suffered […]
Timmy Fanco Defies the Odds Following Car Crash
To say the Fancos are fighters is an understatement. On June 10, 2022, Liz Fanco of Alto, MI, received a phone call. Her children, Anna and Timmy, had just been in a broadside collision. Anna, 17, was driving and suffered a collapsed lung, broken leg and several broken ribs. Her younger brother, Timmy, 11 at […]
Brain injury rocks geologist Mike DeVasto’s world, but he’s on the road to recovery
Ask Mike DeVasto what his favorite rock is, and the geologist is on a roll. “Rocks aren’t static,” he said. “They are an unraveling of history.” Mylonite is his favorite. “They’re a product of a shear zone,” Mike said. “When you put a rock under heat and pressure and forces act on the rock, the […]
Brothers’ bond stronger than ever a year after sledding accident
On a beautiful winter’s day a year ago, Jaden and Jurian Shaffer were excited by the new fallen snow, eager to go sledding with friends. But a tragic twist of fate changed their lives forever. The boys were being pulled behind a snowmobile when their sled struck a tree. Jurian, 13 at the time, broke […]
Hit by car, Bek makes amazing progress after traumatic brain injury
Rehabilitation is a vital part of recovery after a brain injury. Research shows people with brain injuries experience better outcomes the sooner rehabilitation begins. Rebekah Caudle’s journey is testament to that. Bek and her boyfriend were involved in a New Year’s Day crash on a highway north of Ann Arbor. When she got out of […]
Clementine triumphs over brain injury, internal decapitation and cherishes second chance to ‘love’
Update: Clementine met the first responders who saved her life right after the crash early in February. You can see the FOX 17 story by clicking or tapping here. Original story: Clementine Sikiri says the theme of Proverbs 31:25 perfectly describes her. “I’m clothed with strength and dignity. I laugh without fear of the future.” […]
David Lulenski: ‘Mary Free Bed gave me a chance’
In 1997, David Lulenski was 18 years old and ready to start his sophomore year at the University of Arizona when he was involved in a car accident that nearly cost him his life. He was thrown more than 40 feet from a Jeep and hit the side of a house, head-first. After spending nearly […]
Dad Shares Daughter’s Journey after Traumatic Brain Injury
Jim Johnson shares his daughter’s on-going journey after suffering a traumatic brain injury. This is her story. There are two things that are critically important to Erin Johnson: music and being among friends. She enjoyed playing violin and clarinet and listening to popular music. Erin went to shows whenever she could. Being with her friends […]
Patient dedicates life to physical therapy after recovering from brain injury
by Linda Truong In 1999, a propane truck smashed into Pete Cook’s car leaving him with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). An emergency medical technician witnessed the accident and came to Pete’s rescue, caring for him until a trauma team arrived. Pete was airlifted by helicopter to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids. Pete was in […]