Posted on October 20, 2017

Heroes Bash to celebrate Mary Free Bed pediatric patients

Updated Oct. 24 with the above images from the Oct. 20 event. Click here for additional photos 

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital will celebrate its youngest patients and their families at “Heroes Bash 2017.”

Current Pediatric Program patients and many who graduated this year are among more than 120 people expected to attend tonight’s superhero-themed gala in the Meijer Conference Center. They’ll get to meet alumni of the program now in their teens and early 20s who will share their personal rehabilitation journeys.

“Tonight is all about giving hope to patients and families who have experienced a medical situation that required them to need extensive rehab,” said pediatric occupational therapist Penny Adams, the event’s chief organizer. “The rehab journey can be long and hard, and often taxing on the children as well as their families, so we gathered some graduates of our pediatric program to come and share their success stories as proof that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The guest list for this new event also includes Mary Free Bed pediatric physicians, therapists, nurses and caregivers.

Guests will be greeted by correspondents on a red carpet before heading inside for a slew of activities, including face-painting, caricature drawing and photo booths featuring a Hulk Smash Wall and a “flying superhero” skyline. Following a taco bar dinner and program, Starr Sutton, a pediatric physical therapy assistant who moonlights as a DJ, will play music for dancing and karaoke.

Mary Free Bed’s pediatric team, which began planning for the event in July, made the decorations and photo booths. Kitchen 67 restaurant generously donated food for the event.

“It’s important to celebrate our patients who have gone on to be successful despite many hardships that have come their way,” Penny said. “They offer a picture of hope and freedom, and that’s what Mary Free Bed is all about. Plus, who doesn’t love a great party?!”