Events

In partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation, hosted by West Michigan Archery Center, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to host seasonal Archery Clinics! Whether you’ve never picked up a bow, or are a seasoned enthusiast, come join us to learn more about this amazing sport. Participants will shoot either, a recurve bow or a crossbow based on ability.

The Junior Pacers have a prep team and a varsity team, based on age and ability. Athletes get the opportunity to participate on a team, stay connected with basketball and remain active with other children their age. This program is for both recreational and competitive athletes with physical disabilities who can operate a manual wheelchair independently.

Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to offer 1-on-1 tandem cycling sessions. A pilot/captain will be provided to steer, assist with pedaling, and provide guidance to participants on how to ride a tandem bicycle. This program will allow participants to keep healthy, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors! This is open to those with visual impairments who can pedal with their feet. Family members can bring their own bike to ride behind the tandem bike. Please bring your own helmet, otherwise, one will be provided. Must be 13 or older to sign up.

The Mary Free Bed Pacers are a competitive wheelchair basketball team for high-level players ready to participate on a National Wheelchair Basketball Division I team.

The Grand Rapids Thunder is a wheelchair rugby team for people who have a physical disability that affects all four limbs (paralyses or limb differences). Heavy-duty sports chairs are used in this high-intensity, chair-to-chair contact sport. The game is as physical and extreme as conventionally played rugby.

The Mary Free Bed Pacers DIII is an entry level DIII team registered with the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. This team is a great starting point if you are new to the sport of wheelchair basketball.

Mary Free Bed is offering an adaptive boccia ball clinic this Fall. Boccia is a precision ball sport similar to bocce ball, specifically designed for athletes with disabilities that affect motor skills. It's a Paralympic sport, meaning it's played at the highest level of competition for athletes with disabilities. Players aim to throw leather balls (either red or blue) closer to a white target ball, called the "jack," than their opponents.

This is an opportunity for those not yet old enough to join a team. Skill Building, team-work and game play are incorporated into this 6-week class for kids ages 3-7 years old. Instruction will cover tennis, basketball, softball, and other fun activities. Participants must be able to use their upper extremities to independently push a sports chair and follow direction. Many of our athletes can walk, but, their abilities are limited when they compete against athletes without disabilities. A limited number of sports chairs are available upon request.

Experience being grounded at the center of inner peace through the guidance of certified instructor with adaptive yoga practice. This 6-week class is offered for those with cognitive and physical deficits. Yoga improves strength, balance, mobility, and flexibility. The class will be taught by a certified yoga instructor, RYT 200. Volunteers will be assisting participants throughout the class. Yoga mats will be available for participants.

This is a private 45 minute educational consultation with a Certified Holistic Sex Educator. The clinic is available by referral only.

Adaptive swim lessons are offered for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. These are group lessons (max of 2 participants) and they include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment. A volunteer will be available to assist the instructor and participant.

In partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation, hosted by West Michigan Archery Center, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to host seasonal Archery Clinics! Whether you’ve never picked up a bow, or are a seasoned enthusiast, come join us to learn more about this amazing sport. Participants will shoot either, a recurve bow or a crossbow based on ability.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.

Cost: $150 per session due at time of registration.

*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Sled hockey provides opportunity for athletes with many types of disabilities to compete in local areas for recreation and competition all the way to the National Sled Hockey Team that plays at the Paralympic level. Sled Hockey is rapidly growing in the US and players are "hooked" once they touch the ice for the first time. This team is intended for those who thrive on competitive and physical play.

In partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation, hosted by West Michigan Archery Center, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to host seasonal Archery Clinics! Whether you’ve never picked up a bow, or are a seasoned enthusiast, come join us to learn more about this amazing sport. Participants will shoot either, a recurve bow or a crossbow based on ability.

The Mary Free Bed Overdrive Power Soccer team will be in its fourth season playing as part of the United States Power Soccer Association. Power soccer is a sport designed for individuals age 7 and older that use a power chair. Players will learn the fundamentals of power soccer during these weekly practices. Whether you're new to power soccer, or are a seasoned enthusiast, join us to learn more about this amazing sport. Select players will be able to travel to compete in matches. Come out and join us! Participants are limited to those who have their own power soccer chairs. A limited amount of power soccer chairs and power soccer guards are available for participants to use upon request. Foot guards can be added and removed to power soccer chairs. 

2025 Thunderfest-Grand Rapids Thunder Home Tournament-6 Team DII - DIII tournament

Adaptive swim lessons are offered for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. These are group lessons (max of 2 participants) and they include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment. A volunteer will be available to assist the instructor and participant.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.

Cost: $150 per session due at time of registration.

*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Experience being grounded at the center of inner peace through the guidance of certified instructor with adaptive yoga practice. This 6-week class is offered for those with cognitive and physical deficits. Yoga improves strength, balance, mobility, and flexibility. The class will be taught by a certified yoga instructor, RYT 200. Volunteers will be assisting participants throughout the class. Yoga mats will be available for participants.

We are excited to offer this Power Soccer Tournament in Michigan on November 8-9, 2025. This tournament is open to all United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA) teams. 6 team maximum

Adult DI, DII and Adult DIII Wheelchair Basketball Teams

Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to offer 1-on-1 tandem cycling sessions. A pilot/captain will be provided to steer, assist with pedaling, and provide guidance to participants on how to ride a tandem bicycle. This program will allow participants to keep healthy, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors! This is open to those with visual impairments who can pedal with their feet. Family members can bring their own bike to ride behind the tandem bike. Please bring your own helmet, otherwise, one will be provided. Must be 13 or older to sign up.

Registration Open 8/1/25-9/1/25
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund (LMAAF) is available to our Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports community.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.

Cost: $150 per session due at time of registration.

*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Adaptive swim lessons are offered for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. These are group lessons (max of 2 participants) and they include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment. A volunteer will be available to assist the instructor and participant.

This team is for adults with physical disabilities who wish to play standing up rather than playing from a sports wheelchair. Individuals who play para standing tennis have decreased mobility due to amputations, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, limb difference, dwarfism or other congenital conditions. No prior knowledge or experience playing tennis is needed to participate. Practices and matches are on a standard tennis court – no special equipment or modifications to the court are necessary. This inclusive program provides practice and playing opportunities for adults of any skill level. Practices are throughout the season and team participation includes travel to tournaments throughout the United States. Players must be 16 years or older to participate. Email thomas.flynn@maryfreebed.com with any questions.

The Mary Free Bed Junior Wheelchair Tennis team is for children with physical disabilities with a desire to play tennis. This is for anyone that wants to play at any level ranging from beginner to advanced. Players will work on skills, learn mobility, and hit thousands of tennis balls. Players must be between 7-18 years of age to join! This summer players will practice two times per week. (No practice week of July 4th and week of July 25 for sports camp).

The Grand Rapids Thunder Low Point Team is for wheelchair rugby players who are classified as a 1.5 and below. We will travel to tournaments one time per month with Nationals in September.

This will be the Frenzy's fifth season as a team. Wheelchair lacrosse is a great opportunity to join a team of individuals that enjoy a physically tough and fast paced game.

This adult wheelchair softball team is for individuals with physical disabilities who are interested in being a part of a fun sport! We have one home tournament and travel out of state for weekend tournaments throughout the summer.

The Mary Free Bed Adult Wheelchair Tennis team is for adults with physical disabilities with a desire to play tennis. This is for anyone that wants to play recreationally or competitively. Learn the game, work on your skills and mobility, and get direction from our experienced wheelchair tennis head coach. All levels are welcome!

The Mary Free Bed Handcycling Team is a great group of individuals, with physical disabilities, who are dedicated to riding. The team gets together weekly to ride at Millennium Park. Enjoy camaraderie and peer support while training for races, or just going for a ride. Race options available locally and out-of-state.

In partnership with the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program is thrilled to revive the sport of goalball. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Goalball is a unique and inclusive sport that relies on the sense of touch and hearing, allowing individuals with visual impairments to participate in a team-based athletic activity.