The Mary Free Bed Experience - Week of July 1st

"Happiness is the highest form of health." ~Daila Lama

"I've met a lot of great people on this journey!" ~Cameron Jackson Weatherford

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has a storied history. Its roots date back to 1891, when a small group of women wanted to help people who couldn’t afford health care. Seeking support from the Grand Rapids community, they passed around a little black purse asking anyone named Mary – and anyone who knew someone named Mary – to donate 10 cents. Mary was the most popular woman’s name at the time, so the group quickly raised enough money to fund a bed at a local hospital. It became known as the first “Mary free bed.” As those needs grew, so did the group of women. It became incorporated in 1911 as the Mary Free Bed Guild of Grand Rapids. Mary Free Bed began providing rehabilitation to adults in 1953, and beds were filled throughout the polio and thalidomide crises. And through its first century, a growing Mary Free Bed occupied several buildings as programs and services grew to meet the rehabilitation needs of the region. Initially, the Guild focused on children: 1920 – Sponsored the first pediatric orthopedic clinic. 1921 – Brought the first trained physical therapist to Grand Rapids. 1923 – Established accessible classrooms at Grand Rapids Public Schools so children with disabilities could attend school. 1930 – Opened the Children’s Convalescent Home. 1938 – Developed The Brace Shop, a forerunner to Orthotics. 1946 – Created the Juvenile Amputee Training Program, which became a national model and was featured in a Life magazine article. 

Now 120 women strong, the Guild has representation on all hospital boards and committees. Its reach extends into the community, where the Guild has donated more than $25 million to dozens of organizations dedicated to furthering the quality of life for people with disabilities. That includes the lead gift for the Mary Free Bed YMCA, the world’s first universally designed health and wellness facility.  Cam's mom is a proud member of the Mary Free Bed Guild.

Cam was off to the exercise races this week.  With Mick, his PT, he drove right up to a specialized bike and put in close to a mile of leg work on Monday and subsequent days.  

Cameron's inpatient room was on the 3rd floor and the outdoor area with seating continued to be a favorite spot for dinner.  Thanks to Ms. Ann for hanging out with her buddy so she could see firsthand he was gaining new skills with utensils.  

On Tuesday, some of the Guild members appeared with their awesome hospitality cart filled with all kinds of options to choose from.  Cameron picked out a pack of playing cards and a squeeze stress ball.  Sydney was Cam's assigned OT (occupational therapist) and we quickly realized she was very creative.  To assist with a continuous arm stretch, Sydney had brought in knee mobilizers to use.  Ms. Deb, the recreational therapist, had stopped in to check on Cam as well.  As she watched Sydney place the knee mobilizers on Cam's arms, she had a puzzling look.  When everything was explained, Cameron, as well as Sydney and Deb could not stop laughing!  

During the extended stay, multiple packages
were received.  Jane's coworker sent a "lay flat duck light" which was a very unique, silly squeeze nightlight for Cam to use in the hospital.  Fishbeck, where Chris is the IT Director, sent over a huge cookie bouquet displaying a baseball theme with a Detroit Tigers standout.  Aunt Joyce and Uncle Joe sent two enormous packages of Oreos! Aunt Betsy and Uncle Jon and fam gave Cam an assortment of donuts, jam, a handmade cousin card and a cozy "Fishigan" sweatshirt.

Cam met Vandy, the in-house pet therapy dog.  Vandy only provides comfort to patients and is not allowed to be petted by a parent or caregiver.

Thursday was the 4th of July.  We requested a three-hour pass to take Cameron out for dinner.  We had a bit of a tough time finding a downtown establishment that was open on the holiday and finally found an old favorite.  HopCat is a restaurant and bar chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, with seventeen locations in eight states.  We opted to dine outside and Cam ordered the appetizer sampler, which included a nice assortment.  Since our son has never been a big fan of loud noises, being at Mary Free Bed during the holiday was a positive experience.

On Friday, the dietician, Ms. Tracy, stopped in for Cam's feedback regarding the meals he had during his inpatient stay.  Cam declared a positive review and the woman overseeing it all was so pleased.

Saturday was our official discharge day!  Cameron had spent 8 nights solo at Mary Free Bed.  We were incredibly proud of our son for achieving this independence on his own.  After meeting one last time with the inpatient doctor, Cam was given the all-clear to say goodbye.  

Part of the Mary Free Bed tradition includes a special send-off.  The nursing team on staff sets up a human open tunnel with light sticks and bubbles.  It is a celebration of hard work and a new chapter.

Cameron requested a Culver's lunch to commemorate the end of his inpatient stay.  To our surprise, he ordered a corn dog.  He hadn't eaten that hot dog type since he was much younger.  Upon entering his home and settling in, we realized the reason for the unique order.  He wanted to practice his new eating skills solo with the corn dog!

Cam declared it was wonderful to be back in his own bed after almost 3 weeks.  On Sunday, after a very restful evening for us all, we ventured northward to see our cousins and soak up some much-needed vitamin D!

Camology Quotes:

During inpatient therapy, Cam really began to see the changes in how his hands were opening, increased flexibility and general loosening of his muscles due to the baclofen pump. He told Chris & Jane upon his return home: "Thank you for changing my life, parents!"