Ghost Inside drummer Andrew Tkaczyk reunites with bandmates for first time since crash at Alternative Press Music Awards
Andrew Tkaczyk is walking. He’s also driving and playing drums, things the 28-year-old could only hope for after being seriously injured in a crash eight months ago. Andrew, drummer for Los Angeles-based metalcore band The Ghost Inside, spent five weeks as an inpatient at Mary Free Bed after their tour bus was involved in a head-on […]
Iraqi boy injured in missile attack returns to Mary Free Bed for new prosthesis
On April 28, 2008, just before his fifth birthday, Hamzah Al-Daeni was playing in his yard in Baghdad, Iraq, when a U.S. missile struck nearby. He was hit by shrapnel and injured so severely that he lost part of his stomach and his right leg had to be amputated. Two years later, traveling with his […]
Little Gemma finds strength to battle hypotonia, ‘courage’ to try new things
Gemma was 1 year old when she started outpatient therapy at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for hypotonia, a condition that weakens the muscles, making it difficult to sit, stand or walk. As part of her therapy, pediatric physical therapist Kate Rustem has used Kinesio Taping to facilitate core muscle stability. “We use it to […]
UPDATED: Mary Free Bed Alumna Pam Buschle, Queen of GRIT
UPDATE: Mary Free Bed alumna Pam Buschle has made great strides since she was an inpatient at Mary Free Bed. The East Grand Rapids resident, who recently served as grand marshal for the city’s annual Fourth of July Celebration (sponsored by the city and Mary Free Bed to mark their 125th anniversaries), appeared on WOOD-TV’s […]
Mary Free Bed alumnus Bryan Barten heading to Paralympics in Rio
Bryan Barten will be the first to tell you he’s an athlete. And actually, he is a top athlete. In September, he will represent the United States at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. Barten, 42, a Hart, Mich., native who now lives in Tucson, Ariz., is one of the best wheelchair tennis players in […]
Center for Limb Differences celebrates 70th anniversary
In addition to celebrating the 125th anniversary of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital this year, its Center for Limb Differences is marking its 70th year of caring for young patients with congenital and acquired limb differences. When it was established in 1946, the center – then known as the Juvenile Amputee Training Program – was […]
Kalamazoo bike crash survivor Paul Gobble happy to be home, ready to return to cycling
Paul Gobble’s love for cycling is anchored in his desire to be healthy. About three years ago, he and his wife, Chris (pictured below with Paul), decided to become more fit by eating healthfully, exercising more and losing weight. “Cycling became very important for me,” Paul said. “It became a very consistent, passionate part of […]
Expert tips to make healthy summer eating a breeze
It’s finally summer! In addition to heat and sunshine, summer means picnics, open houses, beach days, camping and summer parties. Foods that go along with the summer fun typically include hot dogs, potato chips, burgers, pop/lemonade/alcoholic beverages, sauces, pickles, coleslaw and more pasta/potato salad than we’ve had all year. Although it’s OK to enjoy ourselves, we should […]
Formerly conjoined twin Josie Hull works hard for independence
Josie Hull and her sister, Teresa, made national headlines 13 years ago when doctors separated the conjoined twins. Born in Guatemala, the girls were just one year old when they were brought to the United States for the 23-hour life-saving surgery at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Since then, both girls have made great […]
After traumatic brain injury, Jake Rodgers defies odds with strong support system, hard work
Jake Rodgers has defied the odds since being struck by a car in December 2014. The Grand Rapids teenager sustained a traumatic brain injury and broken shoulder while crossing Fuller Avenue on the way home from a friend’s house. After being hospitalized for several months, Jake came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation. In this video, […]
Terry Coburn gives high marks to Sub-Acute Program
Terry Coburn noticed a dark spot on his right foot that prompted him to seek medical care. He was diagnosed with an infection in the bone that required surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Terry, 72, chose to come to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation, where he spent 11 weeks in the Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Program. In this […]
Low-impact exercises to help you ease into activity
Have you been thinking about starting to exercise but having a hard time deciding what or how to begin? Low-impact exercises are a great starting point. Designed to best suit those who cannot handle a lot of stress on their joints, low-impact exercises are great for easing back into a routine or for a lighter […]
Kabel Sheehan pushes herself ‘one step further’ in rehabilitation
Guest blog: Kabel Sheehan, 29, is married to Ryan and mother of three children: Kyla, 5, Evan, 3, and Koda, 1. Kabel’s days were spent playing with her kids, coaching and playing volleyball as well as running her own graphic design company. The Grand Haven family’s world was turned upside down on March 25, when […]
Mary Free Bed and Residential Home Health create Mary Free Bed at Home
Grand Rapids, Mich. (June 3, 2016) – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Residential Home Health announce a new joint venture, effective today, which will provide expanded home health services to West Michigan patients. As a Medicare-certified home health provider, Mary Free Bed at Home offers customized, in-home care, including skilled nursing, physical and occupational […]
Mary Free Bed launches medical residency program
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, the fifth-largest freestanding rehabilitation hospital in the United States, will soon offer a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency program. The new three-year program was recently approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). “Mary Free Bed has been a leader in the field […]
Hetler family has ‘only positive expectations’ for daughter born with limb differences
Guest blog: Kellie Hetler is a photographer from Grand Rapids whose daughter, Gabriella, was born with congenital skeletal dysplasia, an upper extremity limb difference. Kellie chronicles Gabby’s story on a website called “Gabriella’s Hope.” Kellie also has organized a fundraiser for Mary Free Bed’s Center for Limb Differences. A special screening of Disney Pixar’s “Finding […]
How fruits and veggies support your healthy weight loss goals
When gardens flourish and farmers’ markets are in full swing, our palates tend to reap the benefits of the spring and summer growing seasons. Likewise, our healthy weight loss goals benefit from access to so many nutritious foods. The USDA recommends filling half your plate with fruits and veggies at every snack or meal. When fresh local produce […]
Preschool Sampler gives sports-lover Greyson introduction to team play
Greyson Gibbs is an energetic first grader who loves sports and playing with his friends. His participation in the Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Program’s new Preschool Sampler offers him the best of both worlds. “He loves all the games they play and seeing all of his friends on a weekly basis,” said Greyson’s mom, Leigh. […]
Larry LeForge on his cancer rehabilitation: ‘If you work hard, there will be rewards’
Larry LeForge spent 35 years of his career in health care, including 15 at Mary Free Bed as its director of facilities, construction and security. He never expected to be a patient here, but that changed after surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor. In April 2015, Larry became nauseous, sweaty and persistently dizzy. The […]
The Ghost Inside drummer: ‘I have no doubt I’ll get back to doing what I love’
Guest blog: Andrew Tkaczyk is the drummer for Los Angeles-based metalcore band The Ghost Inside. He spent 5 weeks as an inpatient at Mary Free Bed following a November crash that killed two people and severely injured several others, including his bandmates. Andrew, 28, sustained head trauma and fractures to his spine, ribs and hip. […]
Abigail Kopf’s recovery: ‘To see where she is today is amazing’
Abigail Kopf, the Battle Creek teen critically injured in the Feb. 20 mass shootings in Kalamazoo, graduated April 20 from Mary Free Bed after 6 weeks of intensive inpatient treatment. Since her admission to Mary Free Bed on March 8, Abigail has made significant strides in her recovery from a gunshot wound to the head. […]
Restoring balance with vestibular rehabilitation therapy
A balance disorder can affect a person’s quality of life by significantly impacting his or her comfort and safety. A person who has vertigo, for instance, may have trouble performing daily tasks at home or work. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, such as what’s offered at Mary Free Bed, can help to address these issues. Mary Free Bed therapists […]
Thank you to our volunteers – National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2016
National Volunteer Appreciation Week is here (April 12-18, 2016) and we love to salute the numerous volunteers who help Mary Free Bed every single day. Volunteers help with everything from administration and clerical duties, escorting patients and families, to helping therapists be an extra hand during rehabilitation. “I am continually amazed and grateful for all that […]
Susan Ford Bales attends Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program dedication
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital officially dedicated the Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program in a brief ceremony on Tuesday, April 12. Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, was in attendance. The Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program, which provides high-quality, cost-effective rehabilitative care […]
The ‘deets’ on sweets: How to reduce added sugar
Have you ever been confused about the sugar content on a food label? Apple juice seems healthy in moderation, but the label says there’s 25 grams of sugar in the unsweetened varieties – why? The latest federal dietary guidelines recommend consuming less than 50 grams of added sugar per day. The key word? Added. For perspective, […]
Nichols family works together to become a weight loss success story
Dave Nichols needed a total hip replacement, but his doctor told him that he had to lose 70 pounds before the surgery could be performed. His wife, Denise, saw a brochure for the Mary Free Bed’s Weight Management Program, which helps men and women of all ages and in all stages of their weight-loss journey. […]
NASC members raise thousands for Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports
Grand Rapids, Mich. — The National Association of Sports Commissions’ (NASC) Sports Legacy Fund on Thursday, April 7, 2016, presented $27,000 to Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Program (WAS). The money was raised during the 24th NASC Sports Event Symposium hosted April 3-7 in downtown Grand Rapids. It is the highest-ever amount of any NASC Sports […]
Colin Sullivan is ‘passionate about living an active life’
In some ways, Colin Sullivan’s life has changed very little in the past 16 years. He still teaches the same subjects at the same school as he did before he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed his car into a guardrail. “I still travel when I can, play sports, socialize with friends and try […]
Excitement building for next phase of expansion, renovation project
As Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital marks the first anniversary of the March 29, 2015 opening of the new West Building addition, renovations to the rest of campus are on schedule and Mary Free Bed Foundation’s “Join the Movement” capital campaign is on target. This transformative project will continue to keep Mary Free Bed on the […]
3-year-old gaining strength, skills through ‘play’
Guest blog by Sharon Weber Elena is 3 years old. She was born in China and came home to our family when she was 15 months old. She is a funny kid who likes to tell jokes. She is a girlie girl who particularly enjoys shopping and trying on shoes. Elena is active and likes to […]