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Tag: SCI

Sky’s the Limit: Bruce’s Resilience after a Spinal Cord Injury

  In April 2023, life took an unexpected turn for Bruce Roger, 58, of Traverse City, Michigan. A fall at work left him with a concussion, orbital fracture and a spinal cord injury. Following the accident, Bruce was diagnosed with quadriplegia. Fortunately, Bruce’s C3/C4 spinal cord injury was incomplete, which meant he still had some […]

Spinal cord injury study shows promise for increased independence; more participants needed

People with spinal cord injuries who exercise regularly are seeing a positive impact on their health, according to preliminary results of a study by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Michigan. The three-year, collaborative research effort is investigating whether a novel exercise training program affects quality of life for people with spinal […]

Lila’s recovery from internal decapitation called miraculous

An August car crash near her Cedar Springs home left Lila DeLine with a life-threatening spinal cord injury. Essentially, she was internally decapitated when the force of the impact separated her skull from her spine, an injury that most often proves fatal. But Lila defied the odds. She was an inpatient at Spectrum Health for […]

Robert chooses Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury

Robert Hoag was talking with his son during a barbecue when he accidentally fell off the deck of his Crystal, Michigan home. He initially was diagnosed with a torn meniscus, but Robert later began to lose feeling from his waist down. He returned to the doctor and an MRI revealed a spinal cord injury. After […]

Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports motivates 10-year-old Ginessa to compete

Ginessa Aguirre is a spunky 10-year-old with a long brown ponytail who likes making slime, watching YouTube and cuddling with her cat, Smokey. She also likes cooking and baking with her mom, Nora. But what Ginessa likes most is playing basketball. “I like to steal the ball,” she said. See? Spunky. Ginessa plays for the […]

Mary Free Bed graduate Bobby Decair helps patients get in Super Bowl spirit

Bobby Decair has constantly reminded himself to not quit since Jan. 25, 2016 – his first day at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Just days earlier, Bobby sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury when his truck slid on black ice and flipped multiple times. “I just held on,” said Bobby, recalling the accident. He said […]

Participants with traumatic spinal cord injury being recruited for new research study

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has been awarded a three-year, $400,000 grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to measure how physical activity impacts the lives of people with spinal cord injury. Researchers will focus on whether a positive impact can be made on people’s participation in physical activity over a year-long period, said Mary […]

Safety precautions can help prevent ‘life-altering’ injuries from tree stand falls

Hunting is a tradition for many Michigan families and can be rewarding and fun when the proper safety precautions are taken. Each fall, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital provides rehabilitation to hunters injured while hunting, mostly in falls from elevated tree stands. Such falls are often very serious and can result in multiple trauma, complete […]

I have never underestimated my father or anybody else with a disability’

Guest blog: Nicholas Besta, 17, and his family know first-hand what living with a disability is like. That’s why they participate in Mary Free Bed’s peer support mentoring program, which is designed to give patients and their families access to people with injuries similar to their own. Nicholas, whose father, Pat, has used a wheelchair […]

Mary Free Bed alumnus Bryan Barten heading to Paralympics in Rio

Bryan Barten will be the first to tell you he’s an athlete. And actually, he is a top athlete. In September, he will represent the United States at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. Barten, 42, a Hart, Mich., native who now lives in Tucson, Ariz., is one of the best wheelchair tennis players in […]

Kalamazoo bike crash survivor Paul Gobble happy to be home, ready to return to cycling

Paul Gobble’s love for cycling is anchored in his desire to be healthy. About three years ago, he and his wife, Chris (pictured below with Paul), decided to become more fit by eating healthfully, exercising more and losing weight. “Cycling became very important for me,” Paul said. “It became a very consistent, passionate part of […]

Colin Sullivan is ‘passionate about living an active life’

In some ways, Colin Sullivan’s life has changed very little in the past 16 years. He still teaches the same subjects at the same school as he did before he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed his car into a guardrail. “I still travel when I can, play sports, socialize with friends and try […]

Mary Free Bed alumnus Chad Bush offers support to pediatric program

Pets can positively impact our health, reduce stress and make us happy – especially kids. That’s why it’s important to Chad Bush to help Mary Free Bed’s youngest patients. Chad is CFO of U.S. Retail, which owns and operates Pet Supplies Plus franchises across the country, including 6 in West Michigan. During the holiday season, […]

Effective therapies for patients with spinal cord injury

A customized therapy plan is crucial for patients who have sustained a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. The Spinal Cord Injury Team at Mary Free Bed collaborates to determine the most appropriate rehabilitation methods to promote motor recovery after a spinal cord injury. Mary Free Bed therapist Kristina Simpson, PT, MSPT, recently authored an article, “Promoting Motor […]

Mary Free Bed is all-in for patient Keith Stone

An accident on a golf cart left Keith Stone with a severe spinal cord injury. Even though Keith lives in Grand Blanc and the accident occurred in Petoskey, he and wife Sarah decided to come to Mary Free Bed for his rehabilitation. Watch the video to learn how Keith’s time at Mary Free Bed had a positive impact […]

Marcus’ message of determination: ‘Whatever you want to be, you can be it’

Congrats are in order for Marcus Fairfield and Liz Lauer! This week, the new parents welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family. A rollover accident in April left Marcus with a paralyzing spinal cord injury. He graduated this fall from Mary Free Bed after months of intensive inpatient rehabilitation where he focused on maximizing his strength, […]

Chaffee brothers face challenges, celebrate triumphs together

UPDATE: Good Housekeeping published a story about the Chaffee brothers’ journey on Nov. 20, 2015. Click here to read the story. Brothers Adam and Matt Chaffee stick together through thick and thin. That support system and brotherly bond will be crucial as the two adjust to a new life in the coming months. Twenty-three-year-old Adam […]

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, […]

Educational opportunities abound at 2015 SCI Symposium

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital was pleased to welcome 160 guests to the 2015 SCI Symposium held Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. The event, “Living | Loving,” covered a wide range of topics and drew a diverse audience. “As leaders in rehabilitation, it’s important for us […]

Faith & friendship guide Mildred’s rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed at Sparrow

An unexpected fall led to the discovery of Mildred Mendenhall’s rare spinal tumor. The condition affected the use of her legs and necessitated months of intense rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed at Sparrow in Lansing. “They taught me how to sit up and maintain my balance,” Mildred says of her 5-month stay. “It was hard […]

Ryan Podvin continues to thrive at Mary Free Bed as an employee after diving accident

Summer is a time for fun and recreation, but it’s also known as trauma season. Unfortunately, accidents can occur during every day, familiar activities, like swimming, diving and playing sports. Ryan Podvin, an experienced swimmer, suffered a spinal cord injury after barely nicking his chin in a diving accident in Lake Michigan. Five years later […]

Mary Free Bed alum finds inspiration 12,000 feet above ground

Buddy Gargus, 50, has long been an adrenaline junkie. A paralyzing spinal cord injury, sustained in a July 2010 diving accident, didn’t diminish his bold spirit. Post-accident, Buddy spent two months in rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed where he focused on maximizing his strength and mobility. “Mary Free Bed for me was a wonderful experience,” Buddy […]

It’s a girl! Recreational therapist helps father-to-be attend ultrasound

Marcus Fairfield, 27, didn’t think he’d get to attend the 18-week ultrasound for his first child. With a bit of creativity, teamwork and careful planning by Mary Free Bed Recreational Therapist Kaitlin Salowitz, Marcus was able to be in the room when he and his girlfriend, Liz, learned they would become parents to a baby girl this November. Kaitlin […]

Pre-wedding teamwork gets mom on her feet

Even though she’s been paralyzed from the waist down for more than 3 decades, Pat Shipley was able to “walk” her daughter, Lindsey Eickhoff, down the aisle thanks to the generosity of Mary Free Bed staff, patients and vendors. “It was the first time I really got to hug my mom standing up,” Lindsey says. For […]