Malachi Griffin was helping his uncle move from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Tennessee, when his life changed forever. On Dec. 8, halfway through their 15-hour trip, Malachi lost control of the truck he was driving and rolled nine times into oncoming traffic. He was flown to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with life-threatening injuries, including…
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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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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 to…
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When Debbie Erickson’s physician told her she was pre-diabetic, she knew it was time to do something and joined the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program. Not only did she lose weight, Debbie no longer was pre-diabetic. She gained self-confidence and belief in her ability to maintain her weight loss. Debbie shares her experience here:…
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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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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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Updated April 18, 2019 On an April day 10 years ago, Julie Scheving’s life changed. The former Holland resident experienced a massive stroke that limited her ability to talk and move. But when she began her rehabilitation journey at Mary Free Bed, Julie took steps to get her life back. And she’s done just that….
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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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