Pickleball Legend Leads Clinic for Adaptive Athletes on World Pickleball Day
Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the world, has made its way to wheelchair and adaptive athletes in Grand Rapids. October 10 was World Pickleball Day, and a legend of the sport paid Grand Rapids a visit to host an adaptive pickleball clinic with Mary Free Bed for athletes with disabilities. The legend was Seymour […]
MFB Camp Instructor Competes with Team USA in World Championship
Gabe Den Braber, a 22-year-old from Grand Rapids, is competing with Team USA at the Men’s U23 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship in Thailand. Gabe was born with spina bifida, a condition in which the spinal cord didn’t form properly and has affected his lower limbs and his ability to walk. In 2014, when Gabe was […]
Ms. Wheelchair America Crowns Winner After Week-Long Competition
Congratulations to this year’s competitors vying for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America. These 21 powerful, inspiring women traveled from across the United States to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and came together for a national competition. Following the week-long competition, Ali Ingersoll of Raleigh, North Carolina, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2023. Ingersoll sustained a spinal […]
Inspiring Women Compete for the Title of Ms. Wheelchair America
It’s finally here! The national competition is back in Grand Rapids. After being canceled in 2020 and taking place virtually in 2021, the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition is back and in-person in. Twenty-two inspiring contestants from across the United States are contending for the crown and title of Ms. Wheelchair America. WHEN: August 15-21 […]
Meet the Ms. Wheelchair America Contestants
We’re less than a week away from the Ms. Wheelchair America National Competition! The event will be held in person in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is sponsored by the Mary Free Bed Guild. This year, 22 inspiring contestants from across the United States are contending for the 2023 title of Ms. Wheelchair America in the […]
The Ms. Wheelchair America Competition is Back In-Person
After being canceled in 2020 and taking place virtually in 2021, the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition is back and in-person this year. Twenty-two contestants from across the United States are contending for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America, in this the 51st year of annual event. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair America is […]
Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is in Session
Fifty kids with varying abilities are preparing for the much-awaited summer tradition of Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. Campers ages 7-18 will participate in sports like lacrosse, kayaking and basketball. Campers and staff alike look forward to this week every year for the unique opportunity to spend time enjoying adaptive activities with their […]
Tournament Brings Wheelchair Tennis Athletes to Grand Rapids
Wheelchair tennis athletes are competing in Grand Rapids at the 2022 Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championship, presented by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. This highly competitive, local tournament hosts athletes with inspiring stories and all levels of experience – from beginners to professionals. New this year, the tournament has added standing adaptive divisions for […]
Wheelchair Softball Action was Back with a Tournament in Grand Rapids
America’s favorite pastime is in full swing, and last weekend’s tournament was a home run for everyone. After a four-year hiatus, the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair Softball Tournament had a full lineup and knocked it out of the park. The tournament was hosted at the Mary Free Bed YMCA and played on their outdoor wheelchair […]
Local Golfers Hit the Fairway FORE! a Great Cause
The 2022 Mary Fee Bed Open was another enjoyable and successful day the course! Despite a few sprinkles and the chance of rain throughout the day, the golfing community showed up. The Mary Free Bed Open sells out annually, and this year was no exception. We welcomed 220 community members representing 50 area businesses and […]
Local Paralympian Honored at Mary Free Bed Golf Outing
During a break in play at the annual Mary Free Bed Open golf outing, long-time coach and athlete Lee Montgomery was surprised and honored with the announcement of a sponsorship fund in his name. The Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund was established thanks to the generosity of The Meijer Foundation. Montgomery is a former employee […]
Wheelchair & Handcycles Pumped and Ready for 45th Amway River Bank Run
After two years, the 45th Amway River Bank Run is back in May, and the wheelchair and handcycle athletes couldn’t be more excited and ready to compete. Over 35 wheelchair and handcycle athletes from across the United States, Canada and Spain will travel to Grand Rapids to race on Saturday. The largest road race in […]
Rising Sled Hockey Star Moves Towards His Paralympic Dreams
Taggart VanderMolen is on the move. He was a toddler when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and began working with specialists at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Today the Fruitport, Michigan, native is 19. And he’s on the cusp of realizing his dream to play sled hockey for Team USA. A RISING STAR […]
Power Soccer Chair Challenge Kicks into ‘Overdrive’ with Lori’s Voice
Mary Free Bed’s power soccer team needs your help! The Overdrive power soccer team is raising money to replace its aging power chairs with new ones. Overdrive travels and competes nationally, and new chairs will keep the growing team competitive. Power soccer is played by people who use power chairs for daily mobility; it’s one […]
‘Bikes for the Rest Us’ Gives Freedom on Wheels
Last weekend, over 50 children and adults with disabilities were introduced to adaptive bicycling. Thanks to Mary Free Bed’s “Bikes for the Rest of Us” event, participants were given a new lease on freedom and mobility. At the event, pre-registered participants were paired with therapists who assisted in matching their physical needs to the most […]
Mary Free Bed’s Sled Hockey Teams Headed to National Tournament
The Grand Rapids Sled Wings are bound for Nationals! The Junior and Adult teams are packing up their gear and competing in the USA Sled Hockey National Championship this weekend. The Junior Sled Wings, young athletes ages 13-18, have had recent success in tournaments, winning their home tournament, the Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic, in March. […]
Fifth-ranked Mary Free Bed Pacers to play for national championship
The Mary Free Bed Pacers wheelchair basketball team is ranked fifth in the country and is heading to Wichita, Kansas to compete for the national championship. The Junior Pacers also will compete on the national stage, which means 20 athletes from West Michigan will make the trip. Both teams had their last practice this week […]
Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic draws 200+ athletes with disabilities to Grand Rapids
Twenty-two teams from seven states will hit the ice this weekend for Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic, the region’s largest tournament of its kind. Hosted by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation, the tournament also serves as the league championship. When: Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20 […]
Wheelchair basketball tournament returns to Grand Rapids after nearly two years
About 70 athletes from across the country will compete this weekend in the Mary Free Bed Invitational Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. For many of the teams, the event marks the first return to tournament play since the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations almost two years ago. Seven teams from two competitive divisions are scheduled to compete, including […]
Wheelchair, handcycle racers return for Amway River Bank Run
Grand Rapids, Mich. – After cancellation of the in-person race in 2020 and postponement of the 2021 event from May to October, racers are excited and ready for the 44th Amway River Bank Run. Over two dozen wheelchair and handcycle athletes from across the United States will compete on Saturday. The River Bank Run is […]
Rec Therapy, Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports manager Maria Besta honored with Community Service Award
Disability advocate Maria Besta’s efforts to strengthen opportunities for people with disabilities have been recognized with the 2021 Community Service Award by the Grand Rapids Chapter of American Business Clubs. Besta, who manages Mary Free Bed’s Recreational Therapy department and Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Program, accepted the award this week in front of her family, […]
Ms. Wheelchair America competition kicks off
Grand Rapids, MI – It’s back! Ms. Wheelchair America resumes this week after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. The competition celebrates the advocacy efforts, abilities and accomplishments of 30 women from across the country who use wheelchairs for mobility. The 50th annual event, which culminates Saturday, is presented by Mary Free Bed […]
Fireside chat features renowned disability rights activist Judy Heumann
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Internationally known disability rights advocate Judy Heumann is the featured guest for the upcoming Ms. Wheelchair America competition being presented by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. Heumann will discuss her life’s work during a live, virtual fireside chat with Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle and current Ms. Wheelchair America Hilary Muehlberger. […]
Ms. Wheelchair America makes a comeback
Grand Rapids, MI – Thirty contestants from across the country are grateful to participate in this year’s 50th Annual Ms. Wheelchair America competition. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation, and it seemed history might repeat itself again. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital leaders couldn’t let that happen. The two organizations combined forces to […]
Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Returns to Grand Rapids
Over 40 wheelchair tennis athletes are competing in Grand Rapids at the 2021 Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championship. This tournament, presented by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports, is highly competitive and features athletes with great stories of all levels of experience from Paralympians to hometown heroes. When: Tournament play begins at 9:00am Friday, July […]
Campers enjoy Junior Wheelchair Sports Field Day
Twenty-five campers are having a ball this week at Junior Wheelchair Sports Field Day, a smaller version of Mary Free Bed Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports’ annual weeklong camp for kids with disabilities. That event, held the past 35 years, was canceled for safety reasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was very important to us […]
Recreational power soccer team forming for power wheelchair users
Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports program is gearing up to add power soccer to its roster of teams for people with disabilities. It will join more than 250 teams from around the world competing in one of the fastest-growing sports on four wheels. Power soccer is the first competitive team sport designed for […]
Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp: ‘You feel like you belong’
When Sule Christiansen arrived for the fourth time at Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, she once again felt welcomed. “Everyone is so nice, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Sule, 18, who traveled from Plymouth to Grand Valley State University in Allendale. “You feel like you belong, because there are so many kids just like […]
Mary Free Bed handcyclist Matthew Chaffee to compete in Boston Marathon
When Matthew Chaffee was introduced to the world of adaptive sports, it changed the way he views his disability. “I learned to be more independent,” said Matthew, who was paralyzed in a 2014 motorcycle crash. “I’ve met people with all types of disabilities, and everyone has their own way of doing things. The more I […]
Paralympians lead charge in River Bank Run handcycle, wheelchair divisions
Two Paralympians are among the elite athletes to compete in the 41st annual River Bank Run on Saturday in downtown Grand Rapids. Aaron Pike and Tom Davis will hit speeds of more than 18 mph, making the wheelchair and handcycle divisions two of the event’s most exciting races. Davis, who represented Team USA in the […]