Lauren Ziegler is a 21-year-old college student who loves to work out and prides herself on living a healthy lifestyle. When she woke up Dec. 6 to get ready for class, the Grand Valley State University senior knew something was seriously wrong. “I kept collapsing, and I wasn’t able to get back up off the…
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Guest blog: Nicole DeHaan is a physical therapist and therapeutic pain specialist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Nicole discusses the benefits of graded exposure to activity,…
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Travis Laws was determined to get his life back and knew it wouldn’t be easy. Bedridden for several years, the 46-year-old from Allegan had significant health issues, including a large mass on his right leg. He weighed nearly 1,300 pounds. Specialists from Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo cared for Travis and developed a diet and…
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An August car crash near her Cedar Springs home left Lila DeLine with a life-threatening spinal cord injury. Essentially, she was internally decapitated when the force of the impact separated her skull from her spine, an injury that most often proves fatal. But Lila defied the odds. She was an inpatient at Spectrum Health for…
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In commemoration of President Gerald R. Ford’s 105th birthday, several U.S. Navy sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) — the newest and most high-tech aircraft carrier — are spending a few days in Ford’s hometown of Grand Rapids. The crew members included some Michigan residents: Lt. Sarah Brower; Grand Haven, Mich. Chief…
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Nick Snyder came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation following a stroke that caused significant weakness on the left side of his body. Unable to stand without assistance, the 56-year-old Sheridan resident participated in high-intensity gait training to help him regain strength and endurance. When he graduated five weeks later, Nick was walking. High-intensity gait…
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When patients graduate from Mary Free Bed, they’re given a green T-shirt signed by those who cared for them. The messages for Ella Merrill contained a couple of key words: “amazing” and “miracle.” And rightly so. When Ella came to Mary Free Bed on Dec. 29, the 16-year-old from Edwardsburg, Michigan, was in a coma….
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Anthony White was catching a nap during the 18-hour trek back to college in Wyoming from his home in Michigan when his friend fell asleep at the wheel. The car careened off the road, striking a group of trees. His friend was OK, but Anthony sustained life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. “My parents…
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Ginessa Aguirre is a spunky 10-year-old with a long brown ponytail who likes making slime, watching YouTube and cuddling with her cat, Smokey. She also likes cooking and baking with her mom, Nora. But what Ginessa likes most is playing basketball. “I like to steal the ball,” she said. See? Spunky. Ginessa plays for the…
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