Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is back in action
ALLENDALE, Mich. – After a year off due to COVID-19, campers are back and ready to play. Over 40 kids with disabilities are attending Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. All week, participants from the ages of 7 – 18 will try sports such as lacrosse, kayaking and sled hockey and will make friends […]
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 […]
COVID-19: Protecting our patients, staff and community
Updated: July 17, 2021 Mary Free Bed’s priority is the safety of our patients, staff and community. Our experts are working diligently to protect everyone’s health through enhanced protocols and added resources. These measures follow national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and State of Michigan mandates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary Free […]
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 […]
Cousins encourage each other during recovery from strokes
Ruben Sauceda and his cousin, Heriberto (Joe), are both in their early 60s and have spent much of their lives together in the Holland area. “Joe and I grew up together. We went to school together. We did a lot of things together,” Ruben said. “Then, we had strokes together.” Ruben was at his job […]
Kevin celebrates son’s graduation after his own from rehabilitation
Kevin Grubbs survived COVID-19, an aortic aneurysm and three strokes, and with the help of rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, Father’s Day was a special one for the Kalamazoo father of five. Last spring, the 52-year-old truck driver developed a cough that led to a COVID-19 diagnosis. During a chest x-ray, medical staff discovered Kevin […]
Mary Free Bed celebrates Pride Month and its commitment to inclusion
Pride Month is an opportunity for the world to celebrate and honor the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQIA+) community. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a place for healing, and that’s why we’re committed to supporting important causes for equality and condemning discrimination. This month, we’re proud to fly a rainbow flag on campus […]
Spinal cord injury doesn’t stop Michigan student
Hailey Naugle is a vibrant young woman who dreams of a career caring for others. An unfortunate accident gave the 19-year-old University of Michigan student a new perspective about what that means. “This experience will help her tremendously,” said Dr. Sam Ho, a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. “Because when you go […]
Bikes for the Rest of Us matches participants with adaptive bikes
More than 70 adults and children with disabilities have been introduced to adaptive bicycling, thanks to the Mary Free Bed Guild. Pre-registered families were paired with therapists matched their physical need with the most appropriate bicycle. Airway Oxygen, West Michigan Bike and Fitness, AMBUCS and Creative Mobility provided the biking equipment. Every rider also was […]
Mary Free Bed reopens ReCOVery℠ Unit due to increase in COVID-19 cases
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The ReCOVery℠ Unit at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is operational for the third time in response to a significant surge of patients with COVID-19 in West Michigan hospitals. The dedicated unit is for patients who need intensive inpatient rehabilitation and have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The 11-bed ReCOVery℠ Unit […]
Mary Free Bed’s Carol Lyman honored with Essential Service Award
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed employee Carol Lyman’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of patients, visitors and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic have been recognized with a 2020 Essential Service Award by West Michigan Works! Lyman, a senior administrative assistant, is among eight frontline workers honored by the organization for going […]
Mary Free Bed dishes up new dining services for patients
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There’s a lot cooking at 235 Wealthy Street these days. With the launch of its in-house food and dining service, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital patients are enjoying a new menu of nourishing meals tailored to their specific needs. Patients who need rehabilitation sometimes require a long hospital stay, and nutrition […]
Try these tips for meal planning on a budget
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. From panic-buying groceries amid pandemic fears to ordering takeout to support local restaurants, our budgets have felt the brunt. It’s time for a refresher on budget-friendly meal-planning success. If the following five tips feel like an overwhelming amount of “to-do’s,” then pick […]
Hit by car, Bek makes amazing progress after traumatic brain injury
Rehabilitation is a vital part of recovery after a brain injury. Research shows people with brain injuries experience better outcomes the sooner rehabilitation begins. Rebekah Caudle’s journey is testament to that. Bek and her boyfriend were involved in a New Year’s Day crash on a highway north of Ann Arbor. When she got out of […]
Holland Community Aquatic Center will include Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation
HOLLAND, Mich. – Holland Community Aquatic Center officials have invited Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation clinicians to bring their expertise to town. Beginning this summer, Mary Free Bed therapists will be using the center’s warm-water pool, fitness space and private treatment rooms with capacity for additional growth. Physical therapy will be available to treat a variety […]
Playground supports therapy disguised as play for children of all abilities
When Mary’s Therapy Playground was created in 2018, the outdoor space provided a fun, healing space for our youngest patients to grow. Three years later, the playground has grown, too! The growth occurred as part of Mary Free Bed’s decision to build its own kitchen to better serve the nutritional needs of patients. Construction of […]
Rachel reunites with family after COVID-19 fight
Freeland resident Rachel Lijewski was diagnosed with COVID-19 in October. When her symptoms became severe, Rachel was admitted to Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, where she spent nearly a month on a ventilator. Her husband, Zac, nine-year-old stepdaughter, Paytin, and 10-month-old daughter, Taylor, motivated Rachel to work toward recovery. With the help of her Mary […]
Mary Free Bed expands partnership to two northern Michigan hospitals
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has launched a joint operating agreement to bring state-of-the-art rehabilitation to patients in Cadillac and Grayling. Mary Free Bed will manage the outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services at Munson Healthcare’s Cadillac and Grayling hospitals. This new program is called Mary Free Bed at Munson […]
Whip up some Strawberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes and a little self-love for Valentine’s Day
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Along with a delicious and easy pancake recipe just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’ve also got some self-talk tips for showing the person in the mirror some love. Stop “shouldn’t-ing” or “shoulding” yourself: When we say things like “I shouldn’t eat […]
GVSU mail carrier returns to post after rehabilitation aids recovery from COVID-19
When Kevin Howell contracted COVID-19, “I could hear him breathing from across the house,” his wife, Samantha, said. The virus hit the 57-year-old Grand Valley State University mail carrier in mid-July. He was plagued by a persistent cough and fatigue, then noticed swelling in his ankle and calf. He went to the emergency room where […]
Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation again ranked among nation’s best
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the fourth straight year, Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for Best Short-Term Rehabilitation. More than 15,000 organizations were evaluated. Mary Free Bed ranked better than both state and national averages for consistency of nurse staffing, fall prevention, the amount of physical […]
Larry’s determination shows after year-long fight to recover from Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Larry Rodabaugh was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in January 2020. Within three days from the onset of initial symptoms, the then 56-year-old Vassar, Michigan resident went into total respiratory failure. However, due to his efforts and determination combined with the skill and care of the staff at Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, Larry’s rehabilitation […]
Practice gratitude for your body, and see what it can do!
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. At the beginning of each year, we focus on setting new goals or practicing new healthy behaviors. One thing we may not think a lot about is practicing gratitude. Research shows that those who practice gratitude are thriving psychologically, spiritually, physically and […]
Weight Management Program teaches Rachel lifelong lessons: ‘It’s a chance for real growth and change’
Rachel Webster joined the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program, because she wanted to improve her lifestyle and overcome fears about her weight. Since completing the 20-week Foundation program, Rachel said she’s learned some lifelong lessons and lost 25 pounds along the way. What are some of the most helpful things you learned? There’s no […]
Focus on building healthy lifestyle habits that last
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. The new year is approaching, and we’re all feeling excitement for a fresh start. It’s understandable to reflect on how we spent our time this year. Many of us were at home due to unexpected circumstances, and guess what? Home is where […]
Encouraged by heartfelt support, Olivia and Alex ‘fight to beat this together’
Olivia Ancil’s story of recovery is about faith over fear and perseverance over pain. It’s also one of hope and the undeniable power of love. On May 28, the young nurse was leaving a specialty certification class at Holland Hospital to spend time with her boyfriend, Alex Arent. Just 22 and a recent graduate of […]
Mary Free Bed receives first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this morning and vaccinations began this afternoon. Rehabilitation physician Richard Ball, M.D., was the first person immunized. He’s the medical director of the Mary Free Bed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program, which trains physicians specializing in rehabilitation […]
Mary Free Bed re-opens ReCOVery℠ Unit for COVID-19 patients
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The ReCOVery℠ Unit at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is operational once again. The dedicated unit is for patients who need intensive inpatient rehabilitation and have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The 12-bed ReCOVery℠ Unit is in a physically isolated area of Mary Free Bed’s main campus hospital. All Centers for […]
Kyle’s love for Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports moves donors to raise $300,000
The COVID-19 pandemic did little to deter supporters of Mary Free Bed from celebrating its mission to restore hope and freedom. While “Thrive,” the Foundation’s annual gala, looked a little different this year, the result was the same. Instead of one large event attended by hundreds of people, the Foundation offered opportunities for sponsors to […]
Brooklyn raises money for Mary Free Bed a second time
UPDATE: She did it again! Brooklyn Hammer, now a fifth grader, visited Mary Free Bed on Giving Tuesday this week with another generous donation – $611 – for the Mary Free Bed Foundation. Since she last visited in 2018, Brooklyn’s family once again has experienced rehabilitation through Mary Free Bed. Her 14-year-old cousin was admitted […]