Herb “Shorty” Monroe was seriously injured in a July car crash just a mile from where he works. He was taken by ambulance to Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, where doctors discovered Shorty had a spinal cord injury that required surgery, as well as spinal fractures, broken ribs and bruised lungs. He needed a ventilator…
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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…
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It had been 18 months since truck driver Matthew Watson was seriously injured in a horrific crash in Ohio, miles from his Allegan, Michigan home. He sustained multiple injuries, including to his brain and spinal cord. Following surgery and a lengthy hospital stay in Toledo, Matthew returned home and began months of physical therapy. But…
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The holiday season can be equal parts joyful and stressful. From long to-do lists to strained family relationships and the desire to create the “perfect” holiday, we often put too much pressure on ourselves. When we feel stress, we increase our risk for stress-induced eating. Jessi Boehme, a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed, has…
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The holidays are a time to celebrate and enjoy family and friends. The season is filled with gatherings that feature festive meals and delectable treats – full of calories. But with a little planning, you can still enjoy yourself and stick to your wellness goals. Jessi Boehme, a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed, offers…
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UPDATE: After their daughter, Charlotte, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was about six months old, Kristine Hendricks and her husband, Matt, knew early intervention would have a positive impact on her quality of life. So, every Tuesday morning, Kristine drove Charlotte to Mary Free Bed for therapy. “It was about two years ago…
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Betty Wustman loves tending to the flowers at her Byron Center home … bountiful roses and hydrangeas, beautiful flowering baskets and beds, and a house full of African violets. “I love, love, love flowers,” said Betty, 74, who came to Mary Free Bed after being diagnosed with polymyositis, an uncommon condition that causes muscle weakness….
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Twelve years ago, Kim Murphy decided to work toward a healthier lifestyle. Her journey has included challenges and successes, including a 100-plus pound weight loss. Adding Mary Free Bed’s Weight Management Program to her support circle has helped Kim feel better than ever. Since she joined the program six months ago, Kim has lost an…
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A playground is a happy place where children can explore, learn and grow. At Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, it’s also a haven for healing, hope and freedom. Mary’s Therapy Playground is a joyful new space where the hospital’s youngest patients can work on their rehabilitation goals in a safe, secure and accessible environment. The…
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Ann Ward has a posse of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild, and she doesn’t have time for pain. The retired Grattan Township paramedic suffered from near-disabling back pain and came to the Mary Free Bed Spine Center for treatment. In this video, Ann shares how Spine Center specialists helped identify the source of her pain…
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