BRIDGTON — On March 5, the Bridgton Hospital Guild board of directors presided at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly expanded rehabilitation area on the Inpatient Unit of the Bridgton Hospital.

The Guild was instrumental in the creation of the space through their October 2011 donation of $42,000 to the hospital, restricted to the purchase of equipment for the area.

New equipment includes electrically powered parallel bars, providing patients with stable and adjustable handrails to assist patients in regaining strength, balance, range of motion and independence in walking; and an electrically powered mat exercise table, height adjustable, to allow for ease in wheelchair transfers.

There is also a wood stairway to practice the use of stairs; ramp and curb to practice community walking/ambulatory experiences; a recumbent bicycle, adjustable for each patient, with a swivel seat for ease in getting on and off.

There is also a Viking XL, equipment that is used to assist debilitated patients to go from sitting to standing safely and to practice walking without danger of falling; specialized walker for Parkinson’s Disease patients, providing laser line targets on the ground to assist with walking; and a group of electronics to encourage exercise, including an Xbox, DVD player and large-screen TV.

The Bridgton Hospital Guild is a not-for-profit organization that supports the hospital through various fundraising efforts, including the Twitchell Cafe on the hospital campus and the Guild Thrift Shop on Main Street.

Run solely by volunteers, the Guild plays a pivotal role in purchasing capital equipment for the hospital, making a yearly donation to the hospital. For Guild membership details, check out www.bridgtonhospital.org