Mary Free Bed purchases Mercy Health Orthotics & Prosthetics program
Muskegon, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics (O & P) Corporation is expanding services to Muskegon with the purchase of Mercy Orthotics and Prosthetics. The transaction becomes effective July 1, 2013. The seven-member Mercy O & P staff will be employed by Mary Free Bed, so relationships that have developed over the years […]
Woman Recovers Quickly after Receiving Post Concussion Therapy
When Mary Herrema left for work on a Monday morning in February, she had no idea she would be visiting the emergency room later that day. “There must have been black ice because I did not see it,” Mary describes. “I don’t even remember slipping. I came down and I hit the back of my […]
Mary Free Bed Guild Proud to Support Wheelchair and Handcyclists
The Mary Free Bed Guild was a proud sponsor of the 36th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run’s Wheelchair and Handcycle Divisions. This year, 29 handcyclists and 13 wheelchair racers competed in front of an estimated 38,000-plus spectators. View this video to view highlights of the race.
Woman Avoids Foot Surgery after Wearing Boots Made by Mary Free Bed’s Orthotics Program
Guest post: Laura Guzman shares her experience with the Mary Free Bed Orthotics Program. This is her story. Four years ago, I found out that after being diabetic for 45 years, the bones in my feet had softened and broken. I had a condition known as Charcot foot. There is no cure, but there are […]
Johnnie Tuitel Motivated by Mary Free Bed
Johnnie Tuitel came to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in March 2013. The celebrated West Michigan author, motivational speaker, and disability advocate with cerebral palsy was found barely conscious, having spent nearly 9 hours in freezing temperatures after falling from his wheelchair. Emotionally drained, with frostbitten fingertips and a mild brain injury, Johnnie found in Mary […]
New physiatrist joins hospital
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Daniel Fechtner, M.D., has joined Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as a full-time physiatrist. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, he joins Mary Free Bed from the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York, which is the teaching hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Fechtner treats patients who have […]
Meet the Artists of the 2013 Mary Free Bed Fine Arts Exhibition
Meet some of the artists of the 31st Annual Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Fine Arts Exhibition. Lane Cooper, featured artist of this year’s art show, shares he learned about the art show about six years ago when he was a patient at Mary Free Bed, and has been participating ever since. Lane loves the […]
Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Mary Free Bed
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Susan Ford Bales announced the establishment of The Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program honoring her mother and grandmother. The daughter of President Gerald and First Lady Betty Ford acknowledged her family ties to Mary Free Bed. Bales’ mother and grandmother were active supporters of the hospital. Betty Bloomer Ford […]
A Community Band Member gets a Second Chance through Recreational Therapy
Research shows that recreational therapy restores a sense of purpose and enjoyment to a patient. David Robrahn is no exception. On September 11, 2012, David clipped the back of a moving car with his motorcycle. After arriving at the hospital, doctors realized he sustained several serious injuries including, a broken right hand, a broken knee, […]
Humor and Laughter Help Stroke Survivor Succeed in Rehabilitation
A sense of humor can be priceless when it comes to rehabilitation. Research shows laughter can reduce pain and ease recovery. And humor is exactly what Ann Mitchell needed to get her life back after suffering a stroke. As an English literature teacher at East Grand High School, Ann, now retired, was known for her […]
The Mary Free Bed Guild Legacy
“Do men understand as well as women that the only way to look at another human being is as a miracle? Who else but a guild of women would empathize so closely with the pain our patients and their families feel every day?” – Kent Riddle, Mary Free Bed CEO Mary Free Bed Guild History The […]
Robert Clark Defies Odds After Suffering Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Robert Clark’s morning seemed ordinary enough. He went through his normal routine and played tennis. It wasn’t until the backache set in that he thought something might be wrong. He went home and took some ibuprofen, something he rarely resorted to. The next day, his back felt better, but his fingertips tingled and one side […]
Concussion Patient’s “Unbearable Symptoms” Alleviated After Therapy
As a truck driver, Brent Lash is acutely aware of the risks he takes when he’s on the job. In spite of his efforts to stay safe, Brent sustained a serious injury last January. A blow to the head left him with a concussion and months of symptoms that went unresolved. “You never think it […]
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 […]
Little Girl’s Determination Helps Her Graduate from Feeding Therapy
Since the day she was born, it was quite clear that Erin Hughes knows what she wants. This determination helped her become the healthy little girl she is today. In January 2011, Erin and her twin brother, Will, were born 3 months early, each weighing just over a pound. The twins spent a combined 279 days […]
Baby Roman wears helmet to correct flat spot on his head
Early on Eric and Debbie Boersma had concerns about the back of their son, Roman’s, head. “We thought it looked a little flat, but given we see him every day it was difficult for us to really know if it was flat or if it was normal,” said Eric. During Roman’s four month check-up they […]
Maria Besta: Passionate about the abilities of people with disabilities
This week we’re shining the spotlight on Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Program manager, Maria Besta. Maria was recognized as a YWCA Tribute Award winner for her extraordinary efforts to strengthen our community. For those of you who have the privilege of knowing Maria, or working with Maria, you understand how truly deserved this honor is. Below […]
A Walking Miracle – And Inspiration For All
At first, the morning of April 10, 2012 appeared to be much like any other for Tammy Gould. Her 10-year-old son, Benjamin, had school in less than an hour, and she had to ensure he was ready for the day. After packing his lunch and preparing breakfast, she walked upstairs to wake him up. But, […]
Horseback riding accident leaves competitor with spinal cord injury
Dr. Alice Gale has always been active. Last year, if she wasn’t at her dermatology practice, she was outside running, riding her bike or maybe at the gym. For as long as she can remember, she’s ridden horses, and for the past 20 years, she’s jumped horses competitively. Last February, Alice was in Florida for […]
Woman determined to beat stroke trades wheelchair for cane
Every Wednesday morning, she’d pick up her grandkids, take them to school and stick around for the day as a volunteer at her granddaughter’s school. For Valentine’s Day, she organized crafts to entertain the students and give the teachers a break. She didn’t get to see the finished products on Valentine’s Day, though. Instead, she […]
Feels like home: Ohio family chooses Mary Free Bed for pediatric rehab
On February 5, Donnie and Jill Acuff’s 5-year-old son, Reese, was in a snowmobiling accident that resulted in a brain injury. After 5 brutal days, Donnie and Jill were told that Reese would live, but he was sedated to protect his brain. The doctors stressed how critical rehabilitation would be in Reese’s recovery, but Reese […]
Told he’d never walk again, Bob is back on his feet
For the second time that winter, Bob Dykstra and his friends jumped on their snowmobiles and shot into the woods. Always a fan of snow sports, Bob was eager to tear up the powder. They approached a hill that they’d gone over hundreds of times before. Bob flew over the pinnacle and instead of landing […]
Faith and rehabilitation help stroke patient make recovery
When John Boone awoke the morning of February 23, the day seemed ordinary enough. He was on a business trip in Jackson, Mich., and the only strange thing about his morning was he couldn’t lift his left leg over the hotel shower’s threshold. He ignored his uncooperative leg and went to work. His day went […]
In spite of limb differences, Brooklyn is just like any other kid
Meet Brooklyn Brooklyn is just like any other girl. She hangs out with her friends, and loves the color pink. In fact, she is proud to share that almost every outfit she wears has pink in it. Brooklyn is very active, and tries everything at least once. She enjoys karate, tumbling dance class, and […]
Former Mary Free Bed Patient Returns as Volunteer
What occurred the night of Christmas 1990 was the last thing Al Bober anticipated. Instead of relaxing at his father’s Chicago home with his family, Al collapsed by a gas pump with a leaking brain aneurysm and immense head pain. “It was like somebody hit me with a sledgehammer,” Al said. He laid in the […]
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 […]
Couple Stays Positive Through Life-Changing Events
It has been a rough journey for Hernan and Susan Murillo since moving to Grand Rapids in fall 2010. But their bright smiles and positive attitude would make you think otherwise. Shorty after their arrival to Michigan, Susan suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. She was paralyzed for two weeks […]
Man walks again after sustaining spinal cord damage from aortic aneurysm
Many of us have heard these kinds of motivational statements before. But when you experience a life changing event, these words take on a whole new meaning. Randy Ribble, 64, was enjoying an ordinary evening in May when it took an unfortunate turn. “I was settling in for the night, and of all of sudden […]
Woman finds ways to manage lymphedema
Hope is what motivated Toy McNeal to find ways to manage her lymphedema – an abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid (a clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases) in a body part that causes swelling. Typically, arms or legs are affected. After having a […]
Former Mary Free Bed patients to compete in Fifth Third River Bank Run
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, thousands will come together to make history in the Fifth Third River Bank Run in downtown Grand Rapids. This year’s event celebrates the River Bank Run’s 35th race, and will involve more than 21,000 athletes – including those who compete from wheelchairs and handcycles – in the largest 25k race […]