The summer before his freshman year of high school, 14-year-old Greyson Schuelke walked out of the Mary Free Bed Kids Inpatient Rehabilitation Program after 41 days of intense recovery. Just weeks earlier, he had been relearning how to walk, talk and eat following a traumatic brain injury.
His graduation was a milestone celebrated by family, friends, therapists and a community that followed his journey both in person and online. For Greyson’s mom, Cortney, sharing his story on social media became a way to raise awareness about pediatric brain injury recovery—and to shine a light on what’s possible with the right care and support.
An Unexpected Turn
Greyson was riding dirt bikes with a close friend when they unexpectedly collided. The crash left him with a traumatic brain injury and bleeding on the left side of his brain. He was rushed to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for emergency care.
“It wasn’t one big area of impact. It was little areas all over. So, we never really knew what we’d be facing,” Cortney recalled.
After a brain injury, many patients begin their recovery journey at an acute care hospital like Corewell Health Helen Devos Children’s Hospital, then transition to Mary Free Bed for specialty brain injury rehab and a customized treatment plan.
Greyson spent 18 days in the hospital, part of that time in a coma. When he woke up, he was nonverbal and unable to move on his own. That’s when Cortney met with the Mary Free Bed Patient Access Team, a group of dedicated professionals who specialize in helping patients and their families navigate the complex transition from acute care to inpatient rehabilitation. For Greyson and his mom, the Patient Access Team helped ensure a smooth transition into specialized pediatric brain injury rehabilitation.
This wasn’t the first time Cortney would Ask for Mary. Years earlier, her father had been a patient in the Adult Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Program in Grand Rapids. But pediatric rehabilitation was a new experience—one she describes as eye-opening and life-changing.
Small Steps Toward Progress
No two brain injuries are alike.
Mary Free Bed therapy teams combine clinical expertise with compassion, meeting each patient exactly where they are in their recovery. On Greyson’s first day, just sitting up on the side of the bed for 10 minutes was a victory. Soon after, he was walking down the hall with assistance.
“They just kept working with him week by week. From Monday to Friday, it was like night and day—a brand-new child with all these new abilities,” Cortney said.
With the help of physical and occupational therapy, Greyson regained daily skills like getting ready in the morning and eating meals. Typically, during inpatient rehabilitation, patients receive therapy for three hours a day five days a week. For Greyson, each session brought him closer to independence.
Bite by Bite
Greyson’s recovery was shaped by therapists who earned his trust and tailored care to his needs. Occupational therapy helped him rebuild everyday skills and confidence, while speech therapy guided him from relying on a feeding tube to enjoying meals again.
With patience and creativity, his team found ways to connect with Greyson on his level, helping him regain weight, strength and independence. He worked hard toward thriving on a full, unrestricted diet—one bite at a time.
Healing with Humor
As Greyson’s voice came back, so did his sense of humor. His therapists used that spark to fuel his therapy sessions, especially when working on short-term memory.
“They figured out how to get him joking around, acting goofy—and then his memory would click. He’d retain the information better and perform better,” Cortney said.
The connection between Greyson and his therapy team turned work into progress—and progress into hope.
Outpatient and Upward
When Greyson arrived at Mary Free Bed, he couldn’t stand without help. By the time he graduated, he was running down the hallway.
Cortney credits his recovery to the consistency of the Pediatric Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program and the therapists’ personalized approach.
“They didn’t follow a standard textbook. They went at his pace, pushed when he was ready, and got to know him as a person. That’s 100% why he’s successful today.”
Her advice to other families beginning pediatric brain injury recovery:
“Take it day by day, and trust your therapy team.”
Greyson’s support system also played a huge role—from classmates and friends to teachers, who all rallied around him. Greyson plans to continue outpatient therapy with his Mary Free Bed team, carrying the same determination and community support that has defined his journey so far.
Ask for Mary for Brain Injury Rehabilitation
If your family is navigating pediatric brain injury recovery, know that you’re not alone. The experts at Mary Free Bed Kids are here to provide compassionate care and therapy to help children and teens rediscover their strength, independence and potential.
Click here to learn more about specialized adult and pediatric brain injury rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed.
