Diane Kimoto, a Grand Valley State University professor, suffered a brain aneurysm while teaching class on September 17, 2012. While she doesn’t remember much of the events that brought her to the Brain Injury Program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, she remembers the moment when she became herself again. Diane was so overwhelmed [...]

Read Full Post »

As a truck driver, Brent Lash is acutely aware of the risks he takes when he’s on the job. In spite of his efforts to stay safe, Brent sustained a serious injury last January. A blow to the head left him with a concussion and months of symptoms that went unresolved. “You never think it [...]

Read Full Post »

  For nearly six decades, long-time patient, Randy Syswerda, has come to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment. At four years old, a case of encephalitis robbed Randy of his ability to walk. He spent six months in our inpatient program, and left the hospital able to walk with braces. Randy has returned to [...]

Read Full Post »

In 2007, David Ling was stung by a bee for the first time in his life. Within minutes, he displayed one of the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction – difficulty breathing – and was soon diagnosed with an allergy to bee stings. But, he never realized just how serious his allergy was – until [...]

Read Full Post »

At first, the morning of April 10, 2012 appeared to be much like any other for Tammy Gould. Her 10-year-old son, Benjamin, had school in less than an hour, and she had to ensure he was ready for the day. After packing his lunch and preparing breakfast, she walked upstairs to wake him up. But, [...]

Read Full Post »

While Josh Franklin reports Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital therapists went the extra mile when it came to rehabilitation, he, too, put in a lot of hard work to regain function. After undergoing brain surgery, Josh was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome, a disorder characterized by ascending paralysis.   Eric Miller is Mary Free Bed’s [...]

Read Full Post »

On February 5, Donnie and Jill Acuff’s 5-year old son, Reese, was in a snowmobiling accident that resulted in a brain injury. After 5 brutal days, Donnie and Jill were told that Reese would live, but he was sedated to protect his brain. The doctors stressed how critical rehabilitation would be in Reese’s recovery, but [...]

Read Full Post »

What occurred the night of Christmas 1990 was the last thing Al Bober anticipated. Instead of relaxing at his father’s Chicago home with his family, Al collapsed by a gas pump with a leaking brain aneurysm and immense head pain. “It was like somebody hit me with a sledgehammer,” Al said. He laid in the [...]

Read Full Post »

Jon is not the same person he was before the accident. According to his wife, he’s much milder and nicer. He appreciates his friends and family differently, and makes sure to say “I love you”. Many people who are told they weren’t expected to live tend to have at this new kind of perspective on [...]

Read Full Post »

Jim Johnson shares his daughter’s on-going journey after suffering a traumatic brain injury. This is her story. Erin enjoyed being with her friends and listening to music. In the summer of 2005, before her accident, Erin loved gel bracelets. Erin was a vibrant, yet stubborn, independent teenager. She played the violin and clarinet, and loved [...]

Read Full Post »