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Paige heads back to school after spinal cord injury

Summer took a scary turn for the Baird family when their eight-year-old daughter fell from the deck of a cottage in Northern Michigan. Paige wasn’t breathing and had to be resuscitated. She was taken to Munson Healthcare in Cadillac, where doctors determined Paige broke the C2 vertebrae in her neck and bruised her spinal cord. […]

Heather uses discipline, hard work to manage fibromyalgia pain

Heather Galli is passionate about martial arts and the values it teaches. A third-degree black belt, Heather says honor, respect, discipline and hard work are principles she and her husband also instill in their children. Unfortunately, the 48-year-old’s years of training and teaching also took a toll on her body. She was diagnosed in 2018 […]

Mary Free Bed Security Department awarded ‘Program of Distinction’ designation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The security team responsible for maintaining a safe environment at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has been recognized for its efforts by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety. Mary Free Bed is the second hospital in Michigan to be named a Program of Distinction, an honor awarded by IAHSS […]

Mary Free Bed rises to the ‘Git Up’ challenge

“The Git Up” is sliding its way across the country this summer, and Mary Free Bed has accepted the “two-step then cowboy boogie” challenge. Blanco Brown’s country-infused rap song lassoed the top spot on music charts, while the line-dance ditty ignited a viral dance challenge across social media. From police officers to celebrities to daddy-daughter […]

Pain Rehabilitation Program opens up ‘a whole new world’ for Gerry

Gerry King suffered with debilitating pain for three years. It became so unbearable, the 75-year-old was unable to care for herself at her Kalamazoo home and began living in a nursing facility. “You get to a point where you think, OK, if I have to be this way for the rest of my life, so […]

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 […]

’Tis the season: Blueberry Cucumber Salsa a superfood summer treat

From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM, is a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It’s blueberry season! Now is the best time of year to get fresh, locally grown blueberries – a fruity superfood we love. Did you know: […]

’Tis the season: Blueberry Cucumber Salsa a superfood summer treat

blueberry salsa

From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM, is a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It’s blueberry season! Now is the best time of year to get fresh, locally grown blueberries – a fruity superfood we love. Did you know: […]

Mary Free Bed welcomes next generation of rehabilitation physicians to residency program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Four physicians focused on restoring hope and freedom to patients recovering from serious injuries or illnesses have begun their post-graduate training at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The 2019 class was selected from a pool of more than 400 candidates vying for spots in Mary Free Bed’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation […]

Fifth Third Bank joins Foundation’s Community Partnership Program

When selecting organizations to support in the communities it serves, Fifth Third Bank looks for those that may help its own employees and customers. Its mission to strengthen families and build strong communities complements Mary Free Bed’s mission to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation so people can achieve their highest level of independence. That’s […]

Wes battles SMA with help of Pain Rehabilitation Program and finds ‘the art of hope’

Wes DeVries has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare condition that affects the muscles, but he hasn’t allowed his physical limitations to quash his creativity. Diagnosed in 1996, the 59-year-old Grand Rapids native is a renowned local artist who dismisses his pain and limited mobility to create abstracts rich in texture and color. In this video, […]

‘Limit’ not in amputee Nathan Wolford’s vocabulary

During one of his first physical therapy sessions as an inpatient at Mary Free Bed, Nathan Wolford was tossing a weighted ball back and forth with his physical therapist. “That’s the day I first realized it was going to be OK,” said Nathan, 20, whose legs were amputated above the knee after a car crashed […]

Mary Free Bed Guild awards scholarships to ‘inspiring and dedicated’ students

  Twenty-one outstanding college students have been recognized for their academic achievements with scholarships awarded by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The Guild has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships since it established the Minority Scholarship Program in 2006 and the Disability Scholarship Program in 2013. This year, the guild accepted applications from throughout Michigan […]

Debbie credits Weight Management Program with new confidence, well-being

When Debbie Erickson’s physician told her she was pre-diabetic, she knew it was time to do something and joined the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program. Not only did she lose weight, Debbie no longer was pre-diabetic. She gained self-confidence and belief in her ability to maintain her weight loss. Debbie shares her experience here: […]

Five reasons you should add asparagus to your plate

From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Well, Michiganders, we made it! Spring is here, and that means fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the first veggies of the season, nutrient-packed asparagus, […]

Lakeland and Mary Free Bed establish orthotics and prosthetics joint venture

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spectrum Health Lakeland and Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics have joined to create Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics at Spectrum Health Lakeland, a joint venture providing advanced orthotic and prosthetic care for patients in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. Located at 2500 Niles Road, Suite 9, in St. Joseph, Mary Free Bed […]

Evelyn thrives in face of rare diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta

Evelyn Franchetti is a typical 3½-year-old. She loves singing and dancing, princesses and puppies. When she arrives at preschool, Evelyn looks around the classroom and declares “These are my friends!” before scampering off to play, protected by her bright red walker. The happy-go-lucky little girl doesn’t need the device to help her walk. It’s a […]

UPDATE: Julie Scheving celebrates milestones after surviving massive stroke

Updated April 18, 2019 On an April day 10 years ago, Julie Scheving’s life changed. The former Holland resident experienced a massive stroke that limited her ability to talk and move. But when she began her rehabilitation journey at Mary Free Bed, Julie took steps to get her life back. And she’s done just that. […]

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 […]

UPDATE: Young athlete recovers from stroke with help from Mary Free Bed

Updated October 22, 2019 Lauren Ziegler achieved her goal of running a half-marathon on October 20. She finished the half-marathon at the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon five minutes faster than she had planned. She also plans to continue running and run in more races in the future.   Updated April 9, 2019 Lauren Ziegler […]

Pain management techniques help with flare ups

Guest blog: Courtney Husen is an occupational therapist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Courtney offers strategies to ease painful flare ups. Chronic pain can impact our […]

Rehabilitation and technology improve patient experience

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is partnering with technology company eVideon to improve patient experience. The 167-inpatient bed rehabilitation hospital uses the eVideon PX platform to entertain, engage and educate patients during acute rehabilitation stays. The technology provides patients, families and visitors with live TV, movies on demand and relaxation videos. […]