GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — "Free Bed is where I learned to accept the new me, but yet I didn't let it stop me," said Shelly Loose.
Loose is looking forward to going home this week after her seventh stay at Mary Free Bed over the past 37 years.
Loose first came through the rehabilitation hospital's doors in 1987 after she survived a car crash that resulted in her becoming quadriplegic.
"37 years ago, when I came here, I was scared. I didn't know what to expect. I was so weak, I couldn't turn my hands," said Loose. "As I got to Free Bed, it got easier...I felt more comfortable. Now when I come to Free Bed, I'm home."
37 years later, she can list how the grounds have changed and how technology and care have advanced.
She can also list what has stayed the same. She's able to identify the room where she used to eat lunch and the park where a friend brought his kitten to visit her.
Of course, she can identify the room where she met her husband.
"I was here for a little tune up and he was here for the first time," said Loose. "We both had the same injury, we did some therapies together and, you know, we would eat lunch together."
"We were fellow quads making it as best we could," Loose said. "I would give him pointers, but in the long run, after that he taught me more than I taught him."
Their love story would go on to capture the hearts of millions, as their story won them the chance to be married on "Live and Regis and Kathie Lee."
Dr. Sam Ho has been caring for Loose's rehabilitation since 1987.
"When I first met Dr. Ho, he came in and he said, 'She'll never, like, put on her pants,' and my first goal was, 'I'm going to show Dr. Ho I can put on my pants,'" said Loose, who did eventually prove him wrong.
"In our lifetime, what we want to accomplish is individual," said Ho. "It's individuals who decide what they want to accomplish in our lifetime, and I think she certainly inspired a lot of people to think about, 'Yes, you have physical limitation. How do you overcome that so you can use your life meaningfully?'"
"We can make a difference in that the future can look brighter for the next generation," said Loose.
She's become an advocate for those with disabilities and is now serving as the president of Ms. Wheelchair America.
"I want them to see role models of what women with disabilities can do and that they're not limited," Loose said.
While experiencing a setback of her own, Loose said she wants to share her story to show that life continues after a disability and that it can still be beautiful.
"After 37 years, there's still life," said Loose. "There's still so many things to do, and I still have goals. I'm not going to let my disability stop me from making a difference in the world."
Through her work and seeing the good that has come from sharing her story, Loose said after all these years, she would still not change a thing.
"I found out how strong I am. Never would I have thought I could get through all of this and overcome so much," said Loose. "I know that I'm making a difference now that hopefully others will see in the future, and be able to go 'Well, If she did it, I can do it.'"
With her husband waiting for her at home, Loose says after leaving MFB she will be getting back to preparations for Ms. Wheelchair America, being held August 19-25.
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