New Voice for Disability Advocacy: Madison Reid Wins Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2026
Michigan has a new voice for disability advocacy! Detroit native Madison Reid was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2026, and she’s looking forward to getting to work. Four women took the stage at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids on Saturday, November 15, to share their platforms and stories. Madison’s platform, “Hope After Harm” […]
Celebrating Advocacy: Ms. Wheelchair America Returns to Grand Rapids
The national Ms. Wheelchair America competition makes its return to downtown Grand Rapids in August. This annual, week-long event celebrates the achievements of women who use wheelchairs for mobility. The competition is based not on physical appearance, but on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation. All of the participants enter the competition with one similar goal: […]
Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Crowning: Championing Advocacy and Leadership
This weekend, a new winner will be crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. Contestants will be competing for the state title in an event hosted and sponsored by Mary Free Bed. Organizers are still accepting applications for the state competition that’s anything but a “beauty pageant.” Ms. Wheelchair Michigan is an advocacy-based competition that gives women opportunities […]
A Winner is Crowned Ms. Wheelchair America During National Competition in Grand Rapids
This year’s national, week-long competition wrapped up with the crowning of Ms. Wheelchair America 2024, presented by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The title was awarded to Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, Chandra Smith, who competed alongside a group of 18 outstanding women. This was the 52nd year of Ms. Wheelchair America. The competition doesn’t focus on […]
Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics Goes Global with ROMP
For the second year in a row, members of the Mary Free Beds Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics team traveled from Michigan to Zacapa, Guatemala. Their mission? Restore hope and freedom … globally. The trip was made possible through philanthropic support from the Mary Free Bed Guild. Six O&P+B team members joined the Range of […]
‘Bikes for the Rest Us’ Gives Freedom on Wheels
Last weekend, over 50 children and adults with disabilities were introduced to adaptive bicycling. Thanks to Mary Free Bed’s “Bikes for the Rest of Us” event, participants were given a new lease on freedom and mobility. At the event, pre-registered participants were paired with therapists who assisted in matching their physical needs to the most […]
Guild awards scholarships for 2020-21 school year
The Mary Free Bed Guild has awarded 18 students a total of $80,000 in scholarships for their academic achievements. The Guild established the Minority Scholarship Program in 2006 to help students pursuing degrees in neuropsychology, nursing, orthotics, prosthetics and rehabilitation therapy programs. The Disability Scholarship Program began in 2013 for students with physical disabilities related to a brain injury, spinal cord […]
Mary Free Bed patients treated to Spa Day
Patients at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital received some extra special pampering ahead of the holidays, thanks to volunteers and the Recreational Therapy department. Mary Free Bed’s recreational therapy gym was transformed into a salon, where students from the Paul Mitchell School in Grand Rapids treated patients of all ages to complimentary manicures, haircuts and […]
Halloween Heroes celebrate in style
Kids love Halloween, and volunteers from the community and Mary Free Bed made sure 35 current and former patients were able to celebrate in a special way. The fourth annual Halloween Heroes Parade marched around Mary Free Bed and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital on Oct. 26, with the Forest Hills Central Marching Band leading […]
Mary Free Bed Guild awards scholarships to ‘inspiring and dedicated’ students
Twenty-one outstanding college students have been recognized for their academic achievements with scholarships awarded by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The Guild has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships since it established the Minority Scholarship Program in 2006 and the Disability Scholarship Program in 2013. This year, the guild accepted applications from throughout Michigan […]
Halloween for the Rest of Us costume parade a treat for kids who use wheelchairs
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital once again is teaming with community volunteers to make Halloween a little more magical for kids who use wheelchairs. Costume construction is nearly complete for more than a dozen current and former Mary Free Bed patients, who will get to show off their awesome creations in the Halloween for the […]
Cancer survivor, Mary Free Bed Guild member gears up for trek to Mount Everest Base Camp
Anne Chamberlin has a simple mission: “My goal every day is to feel alive.” The 56-year-old East Grand Rapids native is a wife and mother of four, friend and philanthropist. And a cancer survivor ready to feel more alive than she ever has. Anne, a member of the Mary Free Bed Guild, will leave Oct. […]
Fine Arts Exhibition showcases works by artists with disabilities
More than 80 works of art, from paintings to photographs and drawings, will be featured in the Mary Free Bed Fine Arts Exhibition, which opens Monday and runs through June 27. The 35th annual event, sponsored by the Mary Free Bed Guild, will spotlight pieces by 31 artists with disabilities. The exhibition kicks off with […]
Smith family ‘very hopeful’ as 6-year-old recovers from influenza-induced encephalitis
Celebrating the New Year and what the future holds has taken on new meaning for Tesfa and Brooke Smith. The Smiths are treasuring family time with their twin daughters, Amarie and Adalie, since returning to their Big Rapids home Dec. 22, just in time to spend the holidays and welcome 2017. “This year will be […]
Couple’s generosity helps patients achieve independence
Steele and Mary Taylor are long-time advocates of Mary Free Bed and have made substantial contributions over the years that have helped thousands of patients achieve independence. Steele served as a member of the first community Mary Free Bed Board of Trustees when it was formed in 1965 and led fundraising efforts for construction of […]
Parade a tricked-out Halloween treat for pediatric patients
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital teamed with Grand Valley State University engineering students, Owen-Ames-Kimball commercial construction company, the Grand Rapids Police Department, various community volunteers and Grand Rapids parents Chris and Jane Weatherford to make magnificent memories this Halloween for young patients in wheelchairs. Over the years, Chris and Jane have transformed their 9-year-old son […]
Mary Free Bed Guild honored by Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Mary Free Bed Guild, which is marking its 125th anniversary, will be inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, which promotes women’s equality by honoring their history and celebrating their accomplishments. The Mary Free Bed Guild was founded in 1891 when a small group of Grand Rapids women established […]
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 […]
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 […]
Mary Free Bed Guild celebrates 125 years
For 125 years, the women of the Mary Free Bed Guild have maintained the hospital’s nurturing culture of restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation. To mark the significant anniversary of its unique history and vision, the Guild is sharing its story and celebrating its accomplishments with events throughout the year. Visitors touring the new West […]
Guild President Kim Ridings among 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Mary Free Bed Guild President Kim Ridings has been named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. She is among the region’s most influential women business owners, leaders, policy-shapers and decision-makers chosen for the honor. The honorees will be recognized during a March 8 awards luncheon […]
Mary Free Bed YMCA a global first for accessibility
Thursday, December 3, marked the start of an exciting new chapter in accessibility and opportunity. The West Michigan community — including many representatives from Mary Free Bed — came together to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the much-anticipated Mary Free Bed YMCA. This first-of-its-kind Y is the first health and wellness facility in the world to […]
Lylah Gritter battles Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) & defies the odds with help from Mary Free Bed
Guest Blog by Holly Gritter My daughter Lylah was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at 6 months old. SMA is the No. 1 genetic killer in children two years and younger. Much like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, SMA is an atrophy that will slowly take away Lylah’s ability to talk, smile, swallow, […]
Little Abby decides to “give back” to MFB Pediatric Patients
Guest Blog by Shannon Almassian (Abby Almassian’s mother) Abby’s birthday theme was “Giving is Good.” She decided to donate to Mary Free Bed because she wanted the kids (in the inpatient pediatric program) to know other kids care and hope they would feel what comfort a stuffed animal can bring. She and her friends picked […]
2015 Fifth Third River Bank Run wrap-up [Photos & Video]
Congratulations to everyone who rolled, ran or walked through a very rainy — but exciting! — Fifth Third River Bank Run on Saturday, May 9, in downtown Grand Rapids. Below is a wrap-up of Mary Free Bed’s 2015 River Bank Run experience, including photos, video and news coverage. Thank you to our handcycle and wheelchair […]
Thank you to our Guild for sponsoring Fifth Third River Bank Run Wheelchair & Handcycle divisions
An open letter to the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Guild: The Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Department is very appreciative of the Mary Free Bed Guild for their continued support of our sports and recreation programs, including the Fifth Third River Bank Run Handcycling and Wheelchair divisions. The Guild of Mary Free Bed […]
2015 Bikes for the Rest of Us matches 80 people with adaptive cycles
Bikes for the Rest of Us — Mary Free Bed’s popular annual adaptive bike event — was held Saturday, April 25, in the parking ramp of the Mary Free Bed professional building in downtown Grand Rapids. The chilly (but dry!) morning provided a productive, fun-filled opportunity for attendees to select and try the bicycle best suited for […]
A vintage look at kids of courage
From the Grand Rapids Press – Sunday, April 12, 2015 CLICK the image to open a larger version in a new window. For more Mary Free Bed historical photos go to: bit.ly/maryfreebed
Thank you volunteers – National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2015
National Volunteer Appreciation Week is here again (April 12-18, 2015) and we love to salute the many volunteers who help Mary Free Bed on a daily basis. Volunteers help with everything from administration/clerical duties to helping therapists be an extra helping hand during rehabilitation. “Mary Free Bed volunteers come from a variety of background and […]
Rehabilitation hospital takes patient success to new level
From the Grand Rapids Press – Sunday, April 12, 2015 CLICK the newspaper pages to see larger version and open in new window.