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Tag: Adaptive Sports

The FAQs of handcycling and wheelchair racing

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is proud to sponsor the wheelchair and handcycle divisions of the Fifth Third River Bank Run for 26 years and support the Grand Rapids community. Below you’ll find some frequently asked questions about the Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports team, wheelchair racing, handcycling and how to be involved. 1. How long […]

National Championship Pride – The Grand Rapids Sled Wings

Guest Blog by Steve Kozlowski, Grand Rapids Sled Wings Coach Hello, my name is Steve Kozlowski. Athletes and parents call me Coach Koz, or just Coach. I currently coach the Grand Rapids Sled Wings youth program but it’s important to know that the youth and adult programs and all of our coaches and coordinators work […]

My Disability Helps Motivate Me!

Oksana Parmenter was eight years old before she realized that people in wheelchairs could do more than simply sit around and watch the world go by. Born with spina bifida and raised in a Lithuanian orphanage, Oksana was told she’d never play basketball or swim in a pool. But then Jan and Bill Parmenter adopted […]

Our congrats to Orrin Schroeder

Our congrats to Orrin Schroeder – way to go! A recent below–the–knee amputee, 67-year-old Orrin came to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to be fitted for a prosthetic leg and receive outpatient therapy. On May 19, a little more than a month after he received his prosthesis, Orrin shot a hole–in-one on hole 16 at […]

Rec Therapy Clinics held throughout entire year (Part 2)

Editor’s Note: Christy VanHaver is a Mary Free Bed therapist who agreed to write a guest blog on her role working with sports clinics throughout the year. Part 2 of 2. June is our adaptive Canoe/Kayak and Rowing Clinic. This clinic, also in partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation, is held at the boathouse at […]

Rec Therapy Clinics held throughout entire year (Part 1)

Editor’s Note: Christy is a Mary Free Bed therapist who agreed to write a guest blog on her role working with sports clinics throughout the year. Part 1 of 2. My name is Christy VanHaver. I am a Recreational Therapist for the Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Department. My role as the clinic coordinator gives me […]

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.

Maria Besta: Passionate about the abilities of people with disabilities

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Program manager, Maria Besta. Maria was recognized as a YWCA Tribute Award winner for her extraordinary efforts to strengthen our community. For those of you who have the privilege of knowing Maria, or working with Maria, you understand how truly deserved this honor is. Below […]

Former Mary Free Bed patients to compete in Fifth Third River Bank Run

On Saturday, May 12, 2012, thousands will come together to make history in the Fifth Third River Bank Run in downtown Grand Rapids. This year’s event celebrates the River Bank Run’s 35th race, and will involve more than 21,000 athletes – including those who compete from wheelchairs and handcycles – in the largest 25k race […]

Dreams, triumphs and rugby: Colin Sullivan lives life to the fullest

For Colin Sullivan, a life-long resident of West Michigan, December 19, 1999, will always be remembered as the day in which his life changed forever. Early that morning, around 5 am, Colin drove from East Lansing to his home in Grand Rapids, an 80-mile journey he had taken countless times in the past as a […]

Athlete returns to competition after spinal cord injury

by Beth Redford After a few days, I have recovered from playing in the recent Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association (GRWSA) Tennis Fundraising Tournament at Ramblewood in Grand Rapids. The weekend started with picking up 3 cases of tennis balls for tournament director and wheelchair tennis head coach, Lynn Bender, and delivering them to Ramblewood. After […]

Sierra Miller Wins Gold at USCA National Event

by Stephanie Millis Sierra Miller won the gold medal in the kayak event at the United States Canoe Association (USCA) Nationals, held in Newaygo, on August 9. Sierra, 15, lost her leg in a lawn mower accident when she was 7 years old. Initially, doctors told Sierra’s parents that even though Sierra’s leg would be […]

Cancer survivor plays wheelchair tennis against able-bodied competitors

by Kate Snider Jess Sporte, 23, lost her leg to cancer when she was just 4 months old. Jess uses crutches for short distances and a wheelchair for longer distances. She received outpatient care from the Center for Limb Differences at Mary Free Bed until she was 21 years old. Growing up, Jess watched from the sidelines as […]

Patient helps other amputees by starting support group

by Kate Snider In July 2002, Dennis Vandereist’s car was struck by another vehicle, hit a fire hydrant and rolled. Dennis, who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle, his left leg was pinned between the driver’s door and the ground. Dennis was taken to Holland Hospital, then flown to Spectrum Health where doctors tried […]

Struck by drunk driver, amputee prepares for Paralympics

by Kate Snider Melanie Johnson was riding her motorcycle to her nephew’s football game in September 2004 when she was struck by a drunk driver. The life-changing accident happened just 5 miles from home. “I knew it was really bad when I heard the helicopter,” Melanie said. “I remember thinking, if they had to call […]

Junior Pacers Wheelchair Basketball—2009 Midwest Conference Champs

by Jess Venlet I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at Jenison High School to watch wheelchair basketball for the first time. I thought that the game would be pretty laid back. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The games were intense, and the players competitive. I realized my mistake quickly. I had […]