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Pediatric patient Tamarah Williams finds independence at Mary Free Bed

Guest Blog by Sarah Williams, mother of Mary Free Bed alumnus Tamarah Williams Tamarah Williams is my 13-year-old daughter who was born with hydrocephalus, more commonly known as water on the brain. She suffered a brain injury during a medical procedure in June, 2013, which left her unable to care for herself. On July 3, […]

Two sisters came to Mary Free Bed and found hope

Guest Blog by Sue Bauerle, sister of Mary Free Bed alumnus Nancy Goodsell Hope. That’s the first word that came to mind as I accompanied my sister (Nancy Goodsell) to the Mary Free Bed gym on the first morning of her therapy. Just a few weeks before, her health had begun deteriorating. She was confused, […]

Artist John Schindler gives a special present to his former therapist

  Spray-paint artist and former lymphedema patient John Schindler paid a visit to the Mary Free Bed Outpatient Therapy Clinic today to bestow a gift upon the woman who helped him regain his hope and freedom three years ago. “It was one of my darkest points. I was at my wit’s end,” 26-year-old John told […]

Student graduates from Mary Free Bed in style

Sixteen-year-old Hanna Rinkevicz was all smiles today as she walked out of Mary Free Bed. She was accompanied by her parents, Christy and Mark Rinkevicz, and a group of firefighters who work with her dad at the Grand Rapids Fire Department. They came to wish her well and provide a grand escort from the hospital. […]

Prosthetic legs don’t deter Grand Rapids man

Due to complications from diabetes, Dan Feather’s left leg had to be amputated below the knee. He was 73 at the time and, after a couple weeks of rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, was ready to return home to his wife, Wilma. Later, the same circulation problem took his left leg. That was two years […]

Three generations of Ford women behind cancer rehabilitation program

Historians say cancer can be divided into two categories: before Betty and after Betty. She was the first prominent woman to speak openly about breast cancer. Because of Betty Ford’s courage, women visited their physicians. Countless lives were saved. Our campaign is aimed at getting the word out about cancer rehabilitation. It’s a new sub-specialty in the […]

Sparrow and Mary Free Bed establish Lansing rehabilitation venture

Lansing, Mich. — Sparrow Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have joined together to create Mary Free Bed at Sparrow, a joint venture providing advanced inpatient rehabilitation care for patients in the mid-Michigan region. The rehabilitation unit at Sparrow will expand to 40 private Patient rooms and two therapy gymnasiums, which will be built […]

Four courtesies to extend to wheelchair users in winter

Navigating a wheelchair in the snow can be a challenge. Below are four ways able-bodied people can be good neighbors during the winter months. If there’s a van-accessible handicapped-parking spot, leave it for a van that is equipped with a wheelchair lift. Be sure not to crowd the van on the passenger side, which is where […]

Winter and wheelchairs: A tricky combination

Kelly Merz remembers all too well her first solo attempt at getting to work in the snow while using a wheelchair. When she opened the door of her apartment to venture toward the garage, a gust of wind picked up the stack of papers on her lap. So she wheeled over to the papers, maneuvered […]

Third time’s the charm for Megan Reynolds

Megan Reynolds is pleased to be a “repeat customer” at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. “I requested to come back here because it feels safe. I trust everyone here,” says Megan, who is 27 and lives in Hudsonville. Last week, as she wrapped up her third stay as an inpatient, Megan spoke fondly of the […]

Jennifer Crowell – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story Part 2

Jennifer Crowell, Mary Free Bed graduate, decided that her accident wasn’t the end. In fact, it was the beginning of her decision to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. Listen as Shelley Mishler, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Guild President, shares Jennifer’s story of hope and determination.

Tearra Garth – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories. Mary Free Bed patient, Tearra Garth, has had quite a journey these past few weeks and is very excited about her future… Listen as Kent Riddle, […]

Devon Goebel: A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories. Robin Bilotti’s Story: “I think I will end up being myself.” This was the prophetic note that my 17-year-old daughter, Devon Goebel, wrote when she was […]

Young Jack Stoner doesn’t let cerebral palsy keep him down

Nine-year-old Jack Stoner smiles a lot these days. He’s often setting aside his wheeled walker in favor of crutches and even endeavoring to take a few steps without the aid of either. “My toes are forward. It’s easier to walk and I can go faster,” he says. In early October, Jack underwent a selective dorsal […]

Melisa Davis Moore – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories. My son, Gabriel, experienced a traumatic brain injury due to a car accident on Aug. 16, 2001. He was 4 at the time. Gabriel was airlifted […]

Diamond Lee – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories. I went to Mary Free Bed after I broke my neck in a car accident. I loved being there. The nurses and therapists made me feel […]

Jennifer Crowell – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories. Who would have thought that a life-changing injury would bring such incredible people into my life? It was July 15, 2008 – a gorgeous summer day […]

Jason Ratliff – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories My husband, Jason, was a patient at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital this past summer. Jason experienced a traumatic brain injury as a result of a […]

Adam Willis – A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Story

Editor’s note: As part of our holiday campaign, Mary Free Bed is asking former patients to tell us about their rehabilitation experience. What follows is one of those stories. My husband, Adam Willis, was a patient at Mary Free Bed from September 30 – November 17, 2013 after a mountain biking accident that resulted in […]

A Man with Two Prosthetic Legs Receives a Change for the Better

When he was only 7 years old, Harry Zemmer received his first pair of artificial legs from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. “They were like hollow logs,” recalls Harry, a 60-year-old Ann Arbor man who was born without fully developed lower limbs. “There were no knees.” With hydraulics, microprocessors, braking mechanisms, energy-saving technology and myriad […]

Mom and Son Receive Support from the Mary Free Bed Feeding Clinic

When Clare Griswold watched her newborn son, Desmond, sleep, she noticed his body would twitch. The twitching would wake him up, which led to even less sleep — for both of them. At two months old, Desmond was evaluated by a doctor and diagnosed with benign neonatal sleep myoclonus – a sleep disorder common among […]

Mary Free Bed Pain Center Highlight Videos (Parts 9-12)

In this 12-part Mary Free Bed Pain Center video series, Dr. Eddie O’Connor explains what you can expect during your 6-12 week journey at the Mary Free Bed Pain Center. Our team is here to teach you how to interact with and overcome your pain so that you can get back to the life you […]

Mary Free Bed Patient Gets Back to the Hunt

“It’s about getting me back to me…and who I’m going to be for the rest of my life,” says Mike Kibben of his time spent in the Spinal Cord Injury Program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in 1997. Mike fell from a tree while hunting, paralyzing him for life. But with the help of Mary […]

Mary Free Bed Pain Center Highlight Videos (Parts 5-8)

In this 12-part Mary Free Bed Pain Center video series, Dr. Eddie O’Connor explains what you can expect during your 6-12 week journey at the Mary Free Bed Pain Center. Our team is here to teach you how to interact with and overcome your pain so that you can get back to the life you want live. […]

Mary Free Bed Spine Center Gets Ballerina Back On Her Toes

Aurora Lewis decided at 16 she wanted to be a professional ballerina. She realized that dream as a freshman in college, but severe back pain soon followed and lead to her having to cancel her contract. The next two years were a mix of pain, confusion and disappointment as Aurora went to more than a […]