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Tag: Outpatient

Hunting safety tips for an injury-free season

 This weekend marks the beginning of Michigan’s regular firearm season for deer (Nov. 15-30, 2015). Hunting is an important tradition for many Michigan families. With proper safety precautions in place, hunting can be a safe and rewarding recreational activity. Hunting safety is a topic of great concern at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Each fall and winter, […]

Augmentative Communication provides options for speech

augmentative communication

Augmentative and alternative communication can literally help to give a voice to individuals with diagnoses or conditions that can include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism, stroke, cerebral palsy, Rett syndrome, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and Down syndrome. In Mary Free Bed’s Augmentative Communication Program, a speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist work with […]

I’ll keep going until I can’t go anymore’

Thirty-four-year-old Nate Denofre doesn’t have much use for the term “disabled.” Born without legs below the knee – a result of amniotic band syndrome – Nate prefers to focus on what is possible for him to do, instead of what isn’t. His latest undertaking embodies the odds-defying spirit that’s driven him to live a life […]

Advances in foot drop rehabilitation benefit wide range of patients

foot drop rehab

There have been tremendous strides in foot drop rehabilitation in the last few decades, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital therapists have stayed in step with all the latest developments. “Foot drop” is the term commonly used to describe a difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot while walking. Foot drop can mean an […]

Scoliosis treatment uses teamwork and technology

Scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine, affects an estimated 7 million Americans. The spinal condition typically is diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, often discovered during back-to-school “well child” checkups. Mary Free Bed’s Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P) professionals are well-versed in helping to fit patients of all ages with custom scoliosis braces. These specialized orthotic devices are […]

Bissell’s Howl-O-Ween boosts pediatric & pet therapy programs

Sometimes, a wagging tail is just the motivation a patient needs to push through an intensive therapy session. That’s where “pet recreation professionals” like Walter and Charlie come into play. The two friendly (and hard-working) dogs are part of the animal-assisted therapy program at Mary Free Bed. Penny Richards, an occupational therapist at Mary Free […]

New program offers in-depth rehab services in outpatient setting

When Mary Free Bed’s Day Rehab Program launches this fall, it will help to address a growing rehabilitation need by “bridging the gap between inpatient and outpatient levels of care.” Patients attend 4-hour sessions, 2-5 days a week, participating in physical, occupational and speech therapy. Additional time is allotted for exploring related rehabilitation services. Coordinated, […]

Tom and Andrea Yared honor their son’s memory

Research conducted by Mary Free Bed physical therapists Kirk Randall and Jennifer McWain has led to a groundbreaking discovery—and helped solidify a substantial donation from Tom and Andrea Yared in memory of their son, John. John Yared, a patient with brain cancer, worked with Kirk and Jenn on balance issues caused by chemotherapy-induced numbness in his […]

Teens raise money for limb difference program

Recent Hudsonville High School graduate Bailey Gulch was all smiles when she handed a white envelope to Mary Free Bed Annual Fund Director Jocelyn Dettloff. It contained checks totaling $1,000, all made payable to Mary Free Bed. During her last semester of high school, 17-year-old Bailey spearheaded a fundraiser to help with the cost of […]

Growing network improves access across state

The Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network extends the reach of Mary Free Bed’s services and expertise far beyond Grand Rapids. The recent expansion of Mary Free Bed at Sparrow in Lansing is just one example of how Mary Free Bed’s reputation and name are growing statewide. Learn more about the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network by […]

Don’t take a vacation from weight management

weight management

For many, summer is the time to hit the road for family vacation. Below, Kim Meeuwsen, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist with the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program, offers 5 tips to help you and your family keep active, eat healthy and stay on track while on the road: Load up on healthy car snacks! Try packing […]

Have fun in the sun with these summer safety tips

Summer means the long-awaited return of time-honored activities, like weekend trips to the lake, family bike rides and other outdoor adventures. Unfortunately, the end of the school year also signals the start of trauma season, a period when medical facilities and physicians see a rise in serious and fatal unintentional injuries involving everything from motorcycle and lawn mowers to swimming […]

Drivers with physical challenges remaining behind the wheel

The Driver Rehabilitation Program at Mary Free Bed offers patients the opportunity to safely return to the driver’s seat. Learn more about Driver Rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed by reading the story — published Sunday, June 14, 2015, in the Grand Rapids Press — below. [Click the image for a larger view, or click to […]

Still hunting – and still walking

Ed Spoelma has three words of advice for anyone who hunts from a tree stand: Wear your harness. Three years ago, Ed was hunting from a tree stand near Remus, Mich. when he fell 20 feet, breaking his sternum and back. He suffered permanent nerve damage and now has two rods in his back. “I […]

Amputee Pam Buschle and her new $100,000 robotic hands

Sepsis survivor and Mary Free Bed alumna Pam Buschle received her new hands on Monday, October 27, 2014. The following are links to stories from local Grand Rapids media on the fitting and happiness that came from the day! Congratulations again go to Pam and the amazing strides she has made in the last year. […]

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 […]

Artist John Schindler gives a special present to his former therapist

  Spray-paint artist and former lymphedema patient John Schindler paid a visit to the Mary Free Bed Outpatient Therapy Clinic today to bestow a gift upon the woman who helped him regain his hope and freedom three years ago. “It was one of my darkest points. I was at my wit’s end,” 26-year-old John told […]

Four courtesies to extend to wheelchair users in winter

Navigating a wheelchair in the snow can be a challenge. Below are four ways able-bodied people can be good neighbors during the winter months. If there’s a van-accessible handicapped-parking spot, leave it for a van that is equipped with a wheelchair lift. Be sure not to crowd the van on the passenger side, which is where […]

Horseback riding accident leaves competitor with spinal cord injury

Dr. Alice Gale has always been active. Last year, if she wasn’t at her dermatology practice, she was outside running, riding her bike or maybe at the gym. For as long as she can remember, she’s ridden horses, and for the past 20 years, she’s jumped horses competitively. Last February, Alice was in Florida for […]

Told he’d never walk again, Bob is back on his feet

For the second time that winter, Bob Dykstra and his friends jumped on their snowmobiles and shot into the woods. Always a fan of snow sports, Bob was eager to tear up the powder. They approached a hill that they’d gone over hundreds of times before. Bob flew over the pinnacle and instead of landing […]

Couple Stays Positive Through Life-Changing Events

It has been a rough journey for Hernan and Susan Murillo since moving to Grand Rapids in fall 2010. But their bright smiles and positive attitude would make you think otherwise. Shorty after their arrival to Michigan, Susan suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. She was paralyzed for two weeks […]

Resilient Teenager Overcomes Challenges of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis

At first glance, Kelsey Winslow is just like any other 18-year-old high school student. She loves to meet new people, hang out with friends and spend time with relatives. More often than not, Kelsey has her phone in hand, texting with friends. Kelsey also can’t wait to attend her upcoming senior prom. In fact, dancing is […]

Motivation during therapy: Returning to life without chronic pain

Research shows nearly everyone at some point in their lives will experience back pain that interferes with work, daily activities or recreation. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason people visit their doctor, and Americans spend $50 billion each year on this ailment. Carol Doubblestein experienced chronic back pain for more than […]

Girl born with gross motor skill delays learns to crawl, walk

By Molly Cartwright Emily Callahan, like any other 18-month-old, likes playing with her stuffed animals. A year ago, however, her mother, Heather Callahan, was worried that Emily wasn’t showing signs of physical development. Babies typically begin crawling between 6 and 10 months. By the time Emily was 6 months old, she hadn’t yet started rolling over. […]

‘Good enough’ isn’t good enough for master pistol shooter

By Molly Cartwright After Larry Mennetti survived a hemorrhagic stroke, he was eager to get better, in spite of the hard work and determination required to get there. When he came to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, the entire right side of his body was unresponsive. He couldn’t sit up, walk or speak clearly. He […]

Truck driver finds relief from pain in the Return to Work Program

By Molly Cartwright Jay Bessey, an over-the-road truck driver, is used to driving 45 weeks out of the year. When injuries in 2009 and 2010 prevented him from working, Jay grew restless. He wouldn’t accept that he would never be able to do his job again. In 2009, Jay was at a truck stop when […]