Randy Herlein – Mary Free Bed Video Preview
Watch this sneak peak of Randy Herlein’s amazing journey. His full story will be published on Friday, October 4, 2013
Family learns what life is like with Arthrogryposis
“Following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, my heart knew we needed to go. Not to photograph, though I did do a little of that, but to restore what was broken and give hope where there was none. We found ourselves in a mountainside orphanage above Port-au-Prince less than three months following the earthquake. Little […]
Man Returns to Hunting after Experiencing a Spinal Cord Injury
As an experienced hunter, Breck Lonier was familiar with the safety precautions. However, one mistake led him to fall from a tree stand and become paralyzed. The only thing Breck remembers during that hunting trip in October 1999 was that he wasn’t feeling well. “I actually fell from the tree stand twice,” Breck explains. “I […]
Teenager with Cerebral Palsy Graduates from Mary Free Bed
During her month-long stay at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Kat agreed to share her rehabilitation journey with the world. She was featured on WOOD-TV’s eightWest program and was Mary Free Bed’s first guest blogger. In this final video entry, Kat reflects on her time at Mary Free Bed and looks forward to a bright […]
Mary Free Bed Receives 100 stuffed animals from Bedside Healers
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital was the recent recipient of 100 Bedside Healers, stuffed animals with velcro straps that make it possible to attach them to bedside railing, wheelchairs, walkers, and even wrists. This generous donation was made possible by Augusta Tower Technologies, Inc. Jason Peach of Bedside Healers announced the Mary Free Bed […]
Pediatric Therapy at Mary Free Bed
This video montage showcases the Mary Free Bed Pediatric Program and our dedicated nurses and therapists who work alongside our patients ever day. You will hear directly from our pediatric patients and their families as they describe the “miracles” that happen at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Faith and Hope Helps Man Recover from Traumatic Brain Injury
Dave Meinema suffered a traumatic brain injury from a severe car accident in February 2013. His faith and hope has led him to a remarkable recovery. “It is a miracle that I’m here today,” says Dave. Read more about Dave and Marissa’s journey on their CaringBridge page.
Teenager Documents Journey with Cerebral Palsy Part 4
We are excited to welcome Katharine as our first Mary Free Bed Guest Blogger. She came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation following a complicated surgery to correct her gait. Kat is blogging about this experience, and she is allowing us to share her thoughts with you. Keep on keepin’ on Well hey! So far […]
Teenager Documents Journey with Cerebral Palsy Part 3
We are excited to welcome Katharine as our first Mary Free Bed Guest Blogger. She came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation following a complicated surgery to correct her gait. Kat is blogging about this experience, and she is allowing us to share her thoughts with you. My new home. Today was a big day […]
Teenager Documents Journey with Cerebral Palsy Part 2
We are excited to welcome Katharine as our first Mary Free Bed Guest Blogger. She came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation following a complicated surgery to correct her gait. Kat is blogging about this experience, and she is allowing us to share her thoughts with you. Hi! So I’m still getting the hang of […]
Teenager Documents Journey with Cerebral Palsy
We are excited to welcome Katharine as a Mary Free Bed Guest Blogger. She came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation following a complicated surgery to correct her gait. Kat is blogging about this experience, and she is allowing us to share her thoughts with you. My Story. Hi! My name is Katharine, and I created […]
Young girl learns how to thrive with epilepsy
Epilepsy is a general term for a variety of neurological conditions characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the United States after migraine headaches, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease. About one percent of Americans have some form of epilepsy, and nearly one in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some […]
Man Overcomes Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Restores His Independence
Robert Clark, an avid tennis player, awoke with a severe backache after an exhausting match the day before. His condition deteriorated from there – loss of finger, hand, arm and leg movement until Robert was completely paralyzed. His diagnosis turned out to be Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious disorder that occurs when the body’s immune […]
Mary Free Bed purchases Mercy Health Orthotics & Prosthetics program
Muskegon, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics (O & P) Corporation is expanding services to Muskegon with the purchase of Mercy Orthotics and Prosthetics. The transaction becomes effective July 1, 2013. The seven-member Mercy O & P staff will be employed by Mary Free Bed, so relationships that have developed over the years […]
Man Overcomes Spinal Cord Injury and Publishes Book
As a former firefighter and father of three, Steven P. Christians always had an active lifestyle. When he wasn’t fighting fires, Steven ventured outdoors, spending his free time fishing, hunting, or camping. However, Steven’s life took a drastic turn when doctors found a syrinx, a fluid-filled cyst, in his spinal cord. At age 35, Steven […]
Woman Recovers Quickly after Receiving Post Concussion Therapy
When Mary Herrema left for work on a Monday morning in February, she had no idea she would be visiting the emergency room later that day. “There must have been black ice because I did not see it,” Mary describes. “I don’t even remember slipping. I came down and I hit the back of my […]
Mary Free Bed Guild Proud to Support Wheelchair and Handcyclists
The Mary Free Bed Guild was a proud sponsor of the 36th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run’s Wheelchair and Handcycle Divisions. This year, 29 handcyclists and 13 wheelchair racers competed in front of an estimated 38,000-plus spectators. View this video to view highlights of the race.
Woman Avoids Foot Surgery after Wearing Boots Made by Mary Free Bed’s Orthotics Program
Guest post: Laura Guzman shares her experience with the Mary Free Bed Orthotics Program. This is her story. Four years ago, I found out that after being diabetic for 45 years, the bones in my feet had softened and broken. I had a condition known as Charcot foot. There is no cure, but there are […]
Johnnie Tuitel Motivated by Mary Free Bed
Johnnie Tuitel came to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in March 2013. The celebrated West Michigan author, motivational speaker, and disability advocate with cerebral palsy was found barely conscious, having spent nearly 9 hours in freezing temperatures after falling from his wheelchair. Emotionally drained, with frostbitten fingertips and a mild brain injury, Johnnie found in Mary […]
New physiatrist joins hospital
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Daniel Fechtner, M.D., has joined Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as a full-time physiatrist. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, he joins Mary Free Bed from the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York, which is the teaching hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Fechtner treats patients who have […]
Meet the Artists of the 2013 Mary Free Bed Fine Arts Exhibition
Meet some of the artists of the 31st Annual Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Fine Arts Exhibition. Lane Cooper, featured artist of this year’s art show, shares he learned about the art show about six years ago when he was a patient at Mary Free Bed, and has been participating ever since. Lane loves the […]
Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Mary Free Bed
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Susan Ford Bales announced the establishment of The Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program honoring her mother and grandmother. The daughter of President Gerald and First Lady Betty Ford acknowledged her family ties to Mary Free Bed. Bales’ mother and grandmother were active supporters of the hospital. Betty Bloomer Ford […]
A Community Band Member gets a Second Chance through Recreational Therapy
Research shows that recreational therapy restores a sense of purpose and enjoyment to a patient. David Robrahn is no exception. On September 11, 2012, David clipped the back of a moving car with his motorcycle. After arriving at the hospital, doctors realized he sustained several serious injuries including, a broken right hand, a broken knee, […]
Humor and Laughter Help Stroke Survivor Succeed in Rehabilitation
A sense of humor can be priceless when it comes to rehabilitation. Research shows laughter can reduce pain and ease recovery. And humor is exactly what Ann Mitchell needed to get her life back after suffering a stroke. As an English literature teacher at East Grand High School, Ann, now retired, was known for her […]
The Mary Free Bed Guild Legacy
“Do men understand as well as women that the only way to look at another human being is as a miracle? Who else but a guild of women would empathize so closely with the pain our patients and their families feel every day?” – Kent Riddle, Mary Free Bed CEO Mary Free Bed Guild History The […]
Motivation Leads to Remarkable Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury
Last March, Chris Graystone was enjoying a fun evening with friends. However, the night filled with good laughs and memories took a turn for the worse when a few friends decided to take a polar bear plunge. Chris decided to join them. While making his way to the lake, Chris tripped over uneven ground just […]
Robert Clark Defies Odds After Suffering Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Robert Clark’s morning seemed ordinary enough. He went through his normal routine and played tennis. It wasn’t until the backache set in that he thought something might be wrong. He went home and took some ibuprofen, something he rarely resorted to. The next day, his back felt better, but his fingertips tingled and one side […]
Concussion Patient’s “Unbearable Symptoms” Alleviated After Therapy
As a truck driver, Brent Lash is acutely aware of the risks he takes when he’s on the job. In spite of his efforts to stay safe, Brent sustained a serious injury last January. A blow to the head left him with a concussion and months of symptoms that went unresolved. “You never think it […]
Patient with brain injury keeps faith and restores independence
In 2007, David Ling was stung by a bee for the first time in his life. Within minutes, he displayed one of the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction – difficulty breathing – and was soon diagnosed with an allergy to bee stings. But, he never realized just how serious his allergy was until July […]
Little Girl’s Determination Helps Her Graduate from Feeding Therapy
Since the day she was born, it was quite clear that Erin Hughes knows what she wants. This determination helped her become the healthy little girl she is today. In January 2011, Erin and her twin brother, Will, were born 3 months early, each weighing just over a pound. The twins spent a combined 279 days […]