Faith and Hope Helps Man Recover from Traumatic Brain Injury
Dave Meinema suffered a traumatic brain injury from a severe car accident in February 2013. His faith and hope has led him to a remarkable recovery. “It is a miracle that I’m here today,” says Dave. Read more about Dave and Marissa’s journey on their CaringBridge page.
Patient with brain injury keeps faith and restores independence
In 2007, David Ling was stung by a bee for the first time in his life. Within minutes, he displayed one of the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction – difficulty breathing – and was soon diagnosed with an allergy to bee stings. But, he never realized just how serious his allergy was until July […]
A New Perspective on Life After Brain Injury
Jon is not the same person he was before the accident. According to his wife, he’s much milder and nicer. He appreciates his friends and family differently, and makes sure to say “I love you”. Many people who are told they weren’t expected to live tend to have at this new kind of perspective on […]
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 […]
After traumatic brain injury, man learns to walk again, gets his life back
By Molly Cartwright For Eric De Ryke, learning to drive again was a triumph. His family and doctors thought so, too, since just 5 months ago they expected him to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Today, Eric is able to walk, drive and do his own laundry. For the 22-year-old, these […]
Saeboflex therapy helps stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury patients
Twenty-year-old Nicole has a history of cerebral palsy. In 2007 she underwent surgery for a brain hemmorage, which caused severe weakness and increased spasticity in her right leg and arm. Nicole has participated in therapy for the past three years at Mary Free Bed and at home. Part of her therapy includes the SaeboFlex to […]
Patient fights his way back after brain injury from ATV accident
“It was getting late and I started to worry,” says his wife, Tammy. “So I went to look for him.” A truck driver, Tom had parked his semi across the road by a neighbor’s house. “I figured he was there,” says Tammy. “Our neighbor saw that I was upset, and he and his dog came […]
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 […]
Told he’d never walk or talk again, brain injury patient lives full life
by Kate Snider “Ten percent of life is what happens to you, the other 90 percent is how you react to what happens,” said Travis Zinger as he recalled what he learned during rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed. On a snowy day in December 1993, Travis, then 13 years old, and some friends were going […]
“Mary Free Bed gave her back her life,” says husband of brain injury patient
The evening of June 2, 2009 unfolded like any other for Todd and Vicki Bowen of Mt. Pleasant. They went for a walk. They ate supper. Their son brought one of the grandkids over to visit. Todd and Vicki went to bed about 9:30 pm, expecting to wake up the next day like usual and […]
“Measure the small successes,” says parent of brain injury patient
by Maureen McKenzie Lauren Culp, a 16-year-old from Fort Gratiot, was on vacation with her friends at a northern Michigan ski resort. At the end of the day on January 31, 2010, Lauren and her friends decided to go sledding. Trying to be safe, Lauren wore a helmet, but was going too fast to be […]