Mason’s fight to walk, and skate, again
Mason, a young hockey player, suffers a spinal cord injury and finds his footing again
TJ’s Comeback: 22-year-old Defies the Odds after a Car Crash
Meet TJ Thome, a 22-year-old from Caledonia, Michigan, whose life took a dramatic turn after a devastating car accident in January, 2024 that nearly claimed his life. Suffering from traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and a grim prognosis, TJ’s survival was unlikely.
Doctors initially predicted he’d remain in a vegetative state, but with the support of incredible medical teams at University of Michigan Health-West, Select Specialty Hospital Corewell Health Grand Rapids, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, TJ made a miraculous recovery. From setback to comeback, his family, and his care team reflect on his journey—starting with that life-changing phone call after the accident to the simple joy of enjoying a hamburger again.
After nearly a month in Mary Free Bed’s Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, TJ transitioned to outpatient therapy and has since been fully cleared. Through sheer determination and perseverance, TJ regained the ability to stand, walk, and has even returned to work.
TJ’s message to anyone facing challenges: stick with it. With time and hard work, you can overcome it.
Official Website: http://www.maryfreebed.com
Doctors initially predicted he’d remain in a vegetative state, but with the support of incredible medical teams at University of Michigan Health-West, Select Specialty Hospital Corewell Health Grand Rapids, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, TJ made a miraculous recovery. From setback to comeback, his family, and his care team reflect on his journey—starting with that life-changing phone call after the accident to the simple joy of enjoying a hamburger again.
After nearly a month in Mary Free Bed’s Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, TJ transitioned to outpatient therapy and has since been fully cleared. Through sheer determination and perseverance, TJ regained the ability to stand, walk, and has even returned to work.
TJ’s message to anyone facing challenges: stick with it. With time and hard work, you can overcome it.
Official Website: http://www.maryfreebed.com
Welcoming twins while recovering from spinal cord injury
Following Jeremy’s journey after a hunting accident while his wife was pregnant with twins.
My Brother’s Keeper: Davenport athlete learning to walk again
**Editor’s note: This article contains an image of injuries that some may find graphic. Discretion is advised.
CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Like many coaches who have influenced him, Sparky McEwen builds his football program on far more than the result of a game. In fact, earning wins is merely icing on the cake for Davenport University’s head football coach.
“Being my brother’s keeper, being the guy that looks out for my teammate,” McEwen said. “I always preach to them when the cloc...
CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Like many coaches who have influenced him, Sparky McEwen builds his football program on far more than the result of a game. In fact, earning wins is merely icing on the cake for Davenport University’s head football coach.
“Being my brother’s keeper, being the guy that looks out for my teammate,” McEwen said. “I always preach to them when the cloc...
Late rally keeps Hope women’s basketball season alive
HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — Hope
women’s basketball closed out the game with a 14-2 run to rally past Illinois
Wesleyan 72-69 and advance to the Sweet 16 in the Division III NCAA Tournament
Saturday night at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Kenedy Schoonveld had 20 points
to lead Hope. Olivia Voskuil added 17 points in the victory.
Trailing 67-59 with just over
four minutes left, Hope’s defense clamped down, surrendering only two points
the rest of the way.
Schoonveld and Lauren Newman
connected on three-poi...
women’s basketball closed out the game with a 14-2 run to rally past Illinois
Wesleyan 72-69 and advance to the Sweet 16 in the Division III NCAA Tournament
Saturday night at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Kenedy Schoonveld had 20 points
to lead Hope. Olivia Voskuil added 17 points in the victory.
Trailing 67-59 with just over
four minutes left, Hope’s defense clamped down, surrendering only two points
the rest of the way.
Schoonveld and Lauren Newman
connected on three-poi...
Kent City athlete relishes second chance
KENT CITY, Mich. (WOOD) — Kent City senior basketball player Will Wright may not be his team’s best player, but he’s certainly as valuable of a teammate as you can have.
“He brings so much energy to our team,” Kent City Eagles head coach David Ingles said. “He doesn’t need to score points to affect a game. His attitude and hustle and effort, that makes us better.”
Just a little over a year ago, Wright’s ability to contribute to
the team was put on hold.
“Confusion at first because I didn...
“He brings so much energy to our team,” Kent City Eagles head coach David Ingles said. “He doesn’t need to score points to affect a game. His attitude and hustle and effort, that makes us better.”
Just a little over a year ago, Wright’s ability to contribute to
the team was put on hold.
“Confusion at first because I didn...
Lydia’s gift: Swimmer with cancer thinks of others
HASTINGS, Mich. (WOOD) — Lydia Cole has a gift.
She is a talented swimmer — but that’s not the gift we’re talking about.
“This is kind of a distraction,” she said with a laugh, gesturing toward the pool behind her. “It’s very helpful.”
A junior at Thornapple Kellogg High School, she swims through a cooperative program with students from Delton Kellogg and Hastings.
“Lydia is something special. She works hard,” head coach Carl Schoessel said. “She’s never missed a practice.”
Well,...
She is a talented swimmer — but that’s not the gift we’re talking about.
“This is kind of a distraction,” she said with a laugh, gesturing toward the pool behind her. “It’s very helpful.”
A junior at Thornapple Kellogg High School, she swims through a cooperative program with students from Delton Kellogg and Hastings.
“Lydia is something special. She works hard,” head coach Carl Schoessel said. “She’s never missed a practice.”
Well,...
Coach’s struggle with depression: ‘You have to ask for help’
KENT CITY, Mich. (WOOD) — Kent City coach David Ingles is known in West Michigan basketball circles for his choice of colorful pants on game nights.
“It started out as a bet I lost,” he said, laughing.
He’s also known for his knowledge of the game.
“He’s a high energetic person,” senior guard Eli Carlson said. “The love of the game just oozes off of him. He’s a great coach. The best I’ve ever had. We love him.”
Like many coaches, Ingles’ career on the sidelines began as a player when h...
“It started out as a bet I lost,” he said, laughing.
He’s also known for his knowledge of the game.
“He’s a high energetic person,” senior guard Eli Carlson said. “The love of the game just oozes off of him. He’s a great coach. The best I’ve ever had. We love him.”
Like many coaches, Ingles’ career on the sidelines began as a player when h...
19th annual Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford set for Saturday
ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) — Nearly two decades ago, a West Michigan family was hit with news that changed their lives forever.
Mitchell Peterson was diagnosed with Dechenne muscular dystrophy at an early age, and has had to overcome new challenges throughout his life.
In an effort to help make a difference for the next child diagnosed with the lethal disease, his family started Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford, a 5K run and walk.
Over the last 19 years, the 40,000 runners have helped raise over $...
Mitchell Peterson was diagnosed with Dechenne muscular dystrophy at an early age, and has had to overcome new challenges throughout his life.
In an effort to help make a difference for the next child diagnosed with the lethal disease, his family started Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford, a 5K run and walk.
Over the last 19 years, the 40,000 runners have helped raise over $...