During one of his first physical therapy sessions as an inpatient at Mary Free Bed, Nathan Wolford was tossing a weighted ball back and forth with his physical therapist. “That’s the day I first realized it was going to be OK,” said Nathan, 20, whose legs were amputated above the knee after a car crashed…
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The winner of the 2019 London Marathon men’s wheelchair race will be among an elite group of athletes competing Saturday in the Amway River Bank Run. Daniel Romanchuk, 20, looks to continue his remarkable year in this one-of-a-kind race after sealing major marathon victories not only in London, but Chicago, New…
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From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Well, Michiganders, we made it! Spring is here, and that means fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the first veggies of the season, nutrient-packed asparagus,…
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spectrum Health Lakeland and Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics have joined to create Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics at Spectrum Health Lakeland, a joint venture providing advanced orthotic and prosthetic care for patients in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. Located at 2500 Niles Road, Suite 9, in St. Joseph,…
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Evelyn Franchetti is a typical 3½-year-old. She loves singing and dancing, princesses and puppies. When she arrives at preschool, Evelyn looks around the classroom and declares “These are my friends!” before scampering off to play, protected by her bright red walker. The happy-go-lucky little girl doesn’t need the device to help her walk. It’s a…
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Bike rides are a summer staple, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital wants to ensure everyone can join in the fun. The 24th annual Bikes for the Rest of Us, held April 27, will help to make that possible. Eighty-five participants at the event were paired with therapists who assisted in…
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When Matthew Chaffee was introduced to the world of adaptive sports, it changed the way he views his disability. “I learned to be more independent,” said Matthew, who was paralyzed in a 2014 motorcycle crash. “I’ve met people with all types of disabilities, and everyone has their own way of doing things. The more I…
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Updated April 9, 2019 Lauren Ziegler is afraid of heights, but that didn’t stop the adventuresome 21-year-old from crossing Devil’s Bridge in Sedona. Accompanied by her boyfriend, Austin Sall, Lauren hiked nearly two miles to the Arizona landmark and gazed at the breathtaking sandstone arch that looms 50 feet above the ground. “I stood there…
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Doris Jacobs is a physician assistant at Mary Free Bed. When she needed rehabilitation after two surgeries, the caregiver became the patient.
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Guest blog: Courtney Husen is an occupational therapist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Courtney offers strategies to ease painful flare ups. Chronic pain can impact our…
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