Tiny Trailblazer: Little Miss Wheelchair Michigan Becomes Inaugural National Titleholder
Little Miss Wheelchair Michigan, Dahlia Swanson, made history Wednesday afternoon, becoming the first person to hold the title of Little Miss Wheelchair America. The 4-year-old was crowned in front of her family, friends and therapists at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, taking on this brand-new role and title within the Ms. Wheelchair America organization. “Dahlia was able to […]
Breaking Barriers: National Ms. Wheelchair America Returns to Grand Rapids
Women from 20 states across the nation will travel to Grand Rapids this month to showcase how they embody an important mission: advocating for people living with disabilities. Ms. Wheelchair America highlights advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation. The 54th national competition will select the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for persons with disabilities to hold […]
41st Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp to Empower Athletes and Inspire Community
It’s the highlight of the summer for dozens of kids and teens who take part in adaptive sports. Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is making a return, celebrating 41 years of building friendships and offering athletic opportunities for kids. The five-day camp, designed for youth with physical disabilities, is hosted by the Mary […]
Hundreds of Athletes with Disabilities from Across the U.S. Compete at The Hartford Nationals in Grand Rapids July 11-17
The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or intellectual disability, will take place in Grand Rapids, July 11-17. A first for the city and only the second time in Michigan, the competition is hosted locally by the West Michigan […]
Grand Rapids Gears Up to Host The Hartford Nationals Conducted by Move United July 11-17
West Michigan Sports Commission Seeks 600 Volunteers Plus Vendors and Sponsors in the Largest and Longest-Running National Adaptive Sports Competition (GRAND RAPIDS, MI – MAY 13, 2025) In two months, Grand Rapids will host The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, […]
Speed & Spirit: Elite Wheelchair and Handcycle Athletes Ready for Amway River Bank Run
This weekend, racers of all abilities are heading to downtown Grand Rapids for the 48th annual Amway River Bank Run. Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports welcomes the wheelchair and handcycle divisions featuring 33 athletes from 13 states and Spain, showcasing talent from West Michigan and across the nation. The River Bank Run is […]
Join the Action: Griffins and Sled Wings’ Annual Sled Hockey Game Returns
The Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Sled Wings will play their 18th annual sled hockey game presented by Meijer this Monday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park (30 Coldbrook St. NE). The doors will open at 5 p.m. Prior to the game, fans can try out a sled on […]
Breaking Barriers: Art Professor and DJ Rynita McGuire Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan
After a day of workshops and panel judging, Kalamazoo resident Rynita McGuire was crowed Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025. “It was an amazing day and experience, I feel great and thankful,” said McGuire. Ms. Wheelchair Michigan is anything but a “beauty” pageant, it provides a unique platform where women can strengthen their advocacy skills, develop as […]
Seeking the Next Disability Rights Champion: Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025
We’re looking for the next Ms. Wheelchair Michigan in an event that’s anything but a “beauty” pageant. Ms. Wheelchair Michigan provides a unique platform where women can strengthen their advocacy skills, develop as leaders, and amplify their voices for meaningful change. Join in an inspiring day of connection and growth alongside other dynamic women who […]
Gold Medal Winning Paralympian Plays in Local Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
John Boie is fresh off winning his second gold medal at 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. John is bringing his Team USA experience to Grand Rapids again playing his second year with the Mary Free Bed Pacers wheelchair basketball team. This weekend, seven teams from Midwest, Alabama and Canada will tip off at the annual […]
Go Team USA! Mary Free Bed Athletes Competing at Paralympics
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are here with the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, August 28. Around 4,400 athletes will compete in in 23 different disciplines. Mary Free Bed has five athletes that are competing in Paris starting this week including: Grace Norman Grace Norman is a Paralympic Paratriathlon athlete. This will be her third Paralympics, […]
Meet the Contestants Vying for the Title of Ms. Wheelchair America
Ms. Wheelchair America is here, and 22 women are competing for the national title and the crown. Each competitor has their own unique story to tell and a platform that they are advocating for. These contestants are not judged based on outward appearance, but rather on advocacy, achievement, communication, and their presentation. The winner of Ms. […]
Celebrating National Disability Independence Day with Ms. Wheelchair Michigan
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Thirty-four years later, we celebrate this milestone as National Disability Independence Day, honoring a piece of legislation that has significantly advanced equality and empowered millions with disabilities. A significant purpose of the ADA is to ensure access to public spaces, employment […]
Celebrating Advocacy: Ms. Wheelchair America Returns to Grand Rapids
The national Ms. Wheelchair America competition makes its return to downtown Grand Rapids in August. This annual, week-long event celebrates the achievements of women who use wheelchairs for mobility. The competition is based not on physical appearance, but on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation. All of the participants enter the competition with one similar goal: […]
Push, Pedal, Win! Wheelchair and Handcycle Athletes Glide into River Bank Run
This weekend, racers of all abilities are heading to downtown Grand Rapids for the 47th annual Amway River Bank Run. The wheelchair and handcycle athletes are ready to compete, as the divisions welcome 30 athletes coming from West Michigan and across the nation. The River Bank Run is the largest road race in the country, […]
Sled Hockey Tournament Ices Grand Rapids for 2024 Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic
A total of 25 sled hockey teams from across the national are in Grand Rapids for this weekend’s Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic. We’re expecting around 250 athletes making it the region’s largest tournament of its kind. The competition is hosted by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and serves as the league championship for […]
Weekend’s Wheelchair Basketball Tournament features over 100 athletes including a World Champ
This weekend, 120 athletes from around the country will compete at the Mary Free Bed Invitational Adult Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Nine teams across three divisions are scheduled to compete, traveling from states across the country – including California, Minnesota and Ohio. When: Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, December 3, from […]
Mary Free Bed Hosts Michigan’s First Power Soccer Tournament
Local athletes have been waiting for it. Michigan has its first power soccer tournament right here in Grand Rapids. The Inaugural Overdrive Power Soccer Invitational Tournament presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union will feature nearly 50 athletes and coaches in the fastest growing sport on four wheels. Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program […]
Rolling to the Hoop: Youth Wheelchair Basketball Glides into Grand Rapids
This weekend, young athletes will hit the courts for Mary Free Bed’s 24th annual Keep Up the Pace tournament. The junior wheelchair basketball tournament features over 50 athletes, ages 7 – 18 with various physical disabilities. The tournament is hosted by the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program. Six different teams are traveling […]
Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Crowning: Championing Advocacy and Leadership
This weekend, a new winner will be crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. Contestants will be competing for the state title in an event hosted and sponsored by Mary Free Bed. Organizers are still accepting applications for the state competition that’s anything but a “beauty pageant.” Ms. Wheelchair Michigan is an advocacy-based competition that gives women opportunities […]
A Winner is Crowned Ms. Wheelchair America During National Competition in Grand Rapids
This year’s national, week-long competition wrapped up with the crowning of Ms. Wheelchair America 2024, presented by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The title was awarded to Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, Chandra Smith, who competed alongside a group of 18 outstanding women. This was the 52nd year of Ms. Wheelchair America. The competition doesn’t focus on […]
National Ms. Wheelchair America Competition Returns to Grand Rapids
Competitors from across the nation are heading to Grand Rapids to contend for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair America doesn’t focus on physical attributes. The competition highlights participant achievements, disability advocacy and presentation skills. In the 52nd year of this annual event, 18 women will compete for the […]
Camp is in Session: Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is back
It’s the highlight of their summer! Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is back in action. Kids and teens age 7-18 will take over Grand Valley State University’s campus playing sports like basketball, lacrosse and tennis. Every year camp provides the chance for kids to come together through adaptive sports to try new activities, […]
Local Paralympian & Admired Veteran Returns to West Michigan
Our Family® Brand Spokesperson Melissa Stockwell Visits Patients and Staff at Mary Free Bed Melissa Stockwell, West Michigan native and three-time medal winning Paralympian, brought her story back home thanks to a partnership with SpartanNash and Our Family®. She visited patients and hospital staff at Mary Free Bed and lead a keynote speaking engagement, which […]
Wheelchair and Para-Standing Tennis Action Returns with Tournament
Wheelchair and para-standing tennis athletes are competing in Grand Rapids at the 2023 Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championships, presented by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. This highly competitive tournament has been in Grand Rapids for over 30 years. It will be hosted at MVP Athletic Club – Crahen and features athletes with all levels […]
Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Receives $50,000 Grant from The Hartford
Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports was awarded a $50,000 grant from The Hartford for new adaptive sports equipment. The grant enabled the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program, a member of the Move United member network, to purchase adaptive sports equipment, including seven handcycles and three sports wheelchairs for the inpatient […]
Wheelchair and Handcycles Geared up for Amway River Bank Run
It’s time for the 46th annual Amway River Bank Run and the wheelchair and handcycle athletes are ready to compete. Nearly 30 athletes from West Michigan and across the national will travel to downtown Grand Rapids to race on Saturday. River Bank Run is the largest road race in the country, and the only race […]
Mary Free Bed’s Sled Hockey Teams Return to Nationals
The Grand Rapids Sled Wings are back competing for the title! The junior and adult teams have traveled to St. Louis for the USA Sled Hockey National Championship. The Junior Sled Wings feature young athletes ages 13-18, and they will be defending their title, after winning the national championship in 2022. The Sled Hockey National […]
Grand Rapids Hosts Sled Hockey Competition for over 250 Athletes
Sled Hockey is back in Grand Rapids! Twenty-four teams are traveling from eight states for this weekend’s Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic. With over 250 athletes, it’s the region’s largest tournament of its kind. The competition is hosted by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and serves as the league championship for the adult league. […]
Griffins & Sled Wings Sled Hockey Game Returns
Renewing one of the most unique events anywhere involving a pro sports team, the Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Sled Wings will play their 16th annual sled hockey game presented by Meijer on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park (30 Coldbrook St. NE). The doors will open at […]