Mary Free Bed Guild celebrates 125 years
For 125 years, the women of the Mary Free Bed Guild have maintained the hospital’s nurturing culture of restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation. To mark the significant anniversary of its unique history and vision, the Guild is sharing its story and celebrating its accomplishments with events throughout the year. Visitors touring the new West […]
Guild President Kim Ridings among 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Mary Free Bed Guild President Kim Ridings has been named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. She is among the region’s most influential women business owners, leaders, policy-shapers and decision-makers chosen for the honor. The honorees will be recognized during a March 8 awards luncheon […]
MyoPro’s myoelectric device helps Cindy regain use of arm after 19 years
UPDATE: Cindy’s amazing story has drawn attention from area media. The story also highlights the innovation of our care team and our relationship with Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Here are links to those reports: Lansing State Journal WILX-TV 10 Cindy Pohl has been unable to use her left arm since being injured in a car […]
New fencing team challenges athletes physically, mentally
Tim Volkers loves swordplay. He’s a fan of “Zorro,” “The Three Musketeers,” “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Star Wars” (yes, a lightsaber can be considered a sword). And now he’s wielding one himself. Tim is a member of Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports’ new fencing team, organized this year following success of the program’s adaptive […]
Winter workouts and activities to stay fit in the colder months
Unless you’re a winter sports enthusiast, the sting of the cold air can make it much more tempting to stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate rather than get outdoors to exercise. This makes it especially difficult to combat those seasonal blues. Trying new winter workouts and activities — or dusting off some classics […]
Ballroom dancing class helps Kathy feel ‘new’ and ‘normal’
Kathy Robinson is no wallflower. The 62-year-old retired school teacher loves to kayak, do yoga and dance. And despite her 2011 diagnosis of secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis, Kathy still does all three. Kathy is enrolled in Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports’ (WAS) new Ballroom Dancing course, which promote participants’ physical, social and emotional well-being. “Sometimes I can […]
Rec Therapy Team ‘blessed’ to be part of wedding
When Jenny Porter and Corey Maillette celebrate their wedding in November on an old farm near the White Mountains in Fryeburg, Maine, they’ll also celebrate their first anniversary. That’s because Jenny and Corey were married Nov. 27 in a ceremony quickly planned by the Recreational Therapy staff at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital so that […]
The Ghost Inside drummer develops bond with Dr. Bloom on rehabilitation journey
Dr. Stephen Bloom visited Andrew Tkaczyk about 7 am every day for 5 weeks at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. He reviewed reports with his patient, and they talked about the next steps on his road to recovery. Then they talked about drumming. “Andrew’s nickname is Dr. Beats, and he calls me Dr. Drums,” said Bloom, […]
Mary Free Bed alumnus Chad Bush offers support to pediatric program
Pets can positively impact our health, reduce stress and make us happy – especially kids. That’s why it’s important to Chad Bush to help Mary Free Bed’s youngest patients. Chad is CFO of U.S. Retail, which owns and operates Pet Supplies Plus franchises across the country, including 6 in West Michigan. During the holiday season, […]
Effective therapies for patients with spinal cord injury
A customized therapy plan is crucial for patients who have sustained a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. The Spinal Cord Injury Team at Mary Free Bed collaborates to determine the most appropriate rehabilitation methods to promote motor recovery after a spinal cord injury. Mary Free Bed therapist Kristina Simpson, PT, MSPT, recently authored an article, “Promoting Motor […]
Adaptive snowboarding gets Raphael back on the slopes
Raphael Correa, a patient of Mary Free Bed’s Orthotics & Prosthetics program, recently met a new, post-accident goal – snowboarding at Timber Ridge Ski Area in Gobles, Mich. After he spent a month in a wheelchair Correa got his walking leg in November 2014 and has been working and training ever since. Raphael’s goal is to get back to […]
Staying strong with your New Year’s resolutions
“Resolutions become real if you’re willing to involve yourself and accept responsibility for your choices as well as the consequences that go with them.” — Dr. John Valusek A personal resolution is a promise to yourself to think, feel or act differently in a way that’s important to you. Research shows more than 80% of resolutions […]
Mary Free Bed is all-in for patient Keith Stone
An accident on a golf cart left Keith Stone with a severe spinal cord injury. Even though Keith lives in Grand Blanc and the accident occurred in Petoskey, he and wife Sarah decided to come to Mary Free Bed for his rehabilitation. Watch the video to learn how Keith’s time at Mary Free Bed had a positive impact […]
An amazing year at Mary Free Bed: 2015 wrap-up
From grand openings to amazing patient and staff stories, 2015 was an eventful year for the Mary Free Bed family. Among this year’s events: opening of the new hospital featuring 167 private rooms, leading-edge technology and outstanding patient amenities (March) opening of the Mary Free Bed YMCA, a global leader in accessible and inclusive design […]
Silas helps inspire ‘SO Awesome’ gift
UPDATED January 19, 2016: Silas Camp, a former patient treated about 4 years ago for plagiocephaly and torticollis, visited Mary Free Bed’s Outpatient Pediatric Therapy team with a special gift for other young patients. During the holiday season, his family’s business, SO Awesome, gives back to the West Michigan community through its “One for One” […]
Fall prevention should be a year-round concern
Falls are a significant public safety concern, no matter the season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of Americans 65 years and older fall each year. Head injuries and hip fractures are among the most common types of injuries sustained in a fall. Here at Mary Free Bed, fall prevention is […]
Festively fit: Tips for avoiding holiday weight gain
Between appetizers, the main attraction and beverages — not to mention those hard-to-resist cookies and sweets — the average holiday meal can clock in at more than 3,000 calories. Unfortunately, this can result in an average holiday weight gain between 2-5 pounds. Some won’t lose that extra weight, adding on year after year. How do you […]
Mary Free Bed YMCA a global first for accessibility
Thursday, December 3, marked the start of an exciting new chapter in accessibility and opportunity. The West Michigan community — including many representatives from Mary Free Bed — came together to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the much-anticipated Mary Free Bed YMCA. This first-of-its-kind Y is the first health and wellness facility in the world to […]
Marcus’ message of determination: ‘Whatever you want to be, you can be it’
Congrats are in order for Marcus Fairfield and Liz Lauer! This week, the new parents welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family. A rollover accident in April left Marcus with a paralyzing spinal cord injury. He graduated this fall from Mary Free Bed after months of intensive inpatient rehabilitation where he focused on maximizing his strength, […]
Chaffee brothers face challenges, celebrate triumphs together
UPDATE: Good Housekeeping published a story about the Chaffee brothers’ journey on Nov. 20, 2015. Click here to read the story. Brothers Adam and Matt Chaffee stick together through thick and thin. That support system and brotherly bond will be crucial as the two adjust to a new life in the coming months. Twenty-three-year-old Adam […]
Jerrensia & Jen make national splash with message of inclusion
Guest blog by Jen Kroll, whose daughter Jerrensia has sought outpatient therapy at Mary Free Bed. This fall, Jen wrote a Facebook post about Target’s Halloween advertisement that included a little girl with leg braces and arm crutches. The post went viral and drew attention from Mashable, Upworthy and other publications. This is a follow-up […]
The tables turned’: Doctor reflects on patient experience
Guest blog by Dr. Marliee Mead, who has been the Medical Director of the Mary Free Bed East Beltline Hand Clinic As a hand and plastic surgeon, I have had a long professional relationship with Mary Free Bed therapists and physicians. I even participated in the creation of their 2013 Art Prize entry! Recently, the […]
Hunting safety tips for an injury-free season
This weekend marks the beginning of Michigan’s regular firearm season for deer (Nov. 15-30, 2015). Hunting is an important tradition for many Michigan families. With proper safety precautions in place, hunting can be a safe and rewarding recreational activity. Hunting safety is a topic of great concern at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Each fall and winter, […]
Augmentative Communication provides options for speech
Augmentative and alternative communication can literally help to give a voice to individuals with diagnoses or conditions that can include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism, stroke, cerebral palsy, Rett syndrome, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and Down syndrome. In Mary Free Bed’s Augmentative Communication Program, a speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist work with […]
Healthy cooking during the holidays
The holidays are quickly approaching and there are so many great family recipes to share. Unfortunately, that cookie recipe from great-great-great-grandma that calls for one and a half cups of butter may not align with your weight loss meal plan. It’s OK to splurge on occasion – but only within reason. Healthy cooking is possible […]
I’ll keep going until I can’t go anymore’
Thirty-four-year-old Nate Denofre doesn’t have much use for the term “disabled.” Born without legs below the knee – a result of amniotic band syndrome – Nate prefers to focus on what is possible for him to do, instead of what isn’t. His latest undertaking embodies the odds-defying spirit that’s driven him to live a life […]
Advances in foot drop rehabilitation benefit wide range of patients
There have been tremendous strides in foot drop rehabilitation in the last few decades, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital therapists have stayed in step with all the latest developments. “Foot drop” is the term commonly used to describe a difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot while walking. Foot drop can mean an […]
Educational opportunities abound at 2015 SCI Symposium
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital was pleased to welcome 160 guests to the 2015 SCI Symposium held Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. The event, “Living | Loving,” covered a wide range of topics and drew a diverse audience. “As leaders in rehabilitation, it’s important for us […]
Cancer + Wellness series: Episodes 16 & 17 – Yoga for cancer patients and survivors
Need to unwind and relax? Looking for ways to holistically cope with stress and tension? Interested in learning more about yoga for cancer patients and survivors? Michele Fife, an instructor with Mary Free Bed’s Cancer + Wellness program, offers this free, 60-minute yoga practice. You also may benefit from a refresher on breathing techniques, which Michele […]
Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle earns health leadership award
Congratulations to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s chief executive officer Kent Riddle! Kent recently was honored by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association with a 2015 MHA Healthcare Leadership Award. Kent was recognized by the MHA for his role in guiding Mary Free Bed after hospital leaders decided it should remain an independent, community-owned organization. In his […]