18 years ago I was getting ready to take a leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning career as a VA social worker. I had been diagnosed in December 2006 with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I decided to follow my newfound bliss as a poet.
Had I studied poetry or literature? No. Did I know anything about "being a Poet or published author?" No. Did I know anything about starting a small and I do mean small business, "New World Greeting Cards: Original Poetry for Every Occasion?" NO But I knew I had to leave my career to heal my life although at the time I had no idea what that meant.
I discovered the healing power of writing poetry in February of 2007 after getting still and asking for Divine Guidance knowing I was at a crossroads in my life. Here is the full text of the first poem I wrote, "Running the Race":
Running the Race
Early summer 1959 my kindergarten year
everyone around me filled with nervous fear.
Despite the Salk vaccine hope polio would disappear
the polio virus crept right up and knocked me in the rear.
Dancing all around the gym feeling free just like a bird
I dropped to the ground just like a stone and no one said a word.
The pain it was so searing-the diagnosis even worse
"It's polio" the doctor said...he was abrupt and terse.
Called one of the 'lucky ones' I had a 'mild case'
but with the other athletes I could never keep their pace.
Miss Holly physical therapist, curly hair and a warm, broad smile
it tempered the pain of being apart - to walk I'd take a while.
I always wore those 'special' shoes the kids they poked and teased
with no support and much abuse with childhood I wasn’t pleased.
But put nose to the grindstone and learned all that I could
I couldn't kick a ball but my grades were always good.
Years went by and no more thought to polio did I give
I accepted the limp, everything else and decided my life I would live.
But symptoms of weakness and muscle pain did grow
I kept a stoic face hoping no one else would know.
Life no longer was my own I struggled through each day
suffered in silence, alone and afraid tried to keep depression at bay.
And with the grace of glorious God my world it opened wide
I discovered there was a Post-Polio team and they were on my side.
Sought out paths for healing and my spirit flew free
for the first time in life, I could truly be me.
The chains are gone and possibilities abound
I'm a tree with my roots planted firmly in ground.
Using wheelchair to travel, set limits on what I could do
resulted in joy to realize I could live life anew.
Celebrated my body-creaks, groans and need for a brace
while in my mind I focused on winning a 10K race.
I'm now off the sidelines, no need to sit and whine
so much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine.
After all these years I can join the loving human race
I exceed all expectations and now I set the pace.
Poetry started flowing out of me as though a spigot was turned on in my soul.
The runner within me was born in my imagination. I had never run a day in my life. When I wrote "Running the Race" I was wearing a toe-up leg brace, a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility.
When I wrote poetry, I literally felt no pain. I had to have a yellow legal pad with me at all times. The Universe and I were in call and response mode. I received an email about the Newburyport Literary Festival after I made the decision to take the leap. It was held the month before 5/25, the last day of my work at the VA. I wore a power suit I bought for the occasion as my "social work" clothes would not serve me in this next chapter in my life. I bought tickets for Tom and me to attend the opening night gala with a welcome reception for authors. I had my manuscript for "New World Greetings: Poetry and Musings for a New World." As I waited in line at the bar, I felt moved to let Elvis Mitchell know how much I enjoyed his interview of Peter Guralnick. I told him my story and he casually said to me, "Oh you've channeled a book." I asked Peter Guralnick for advice on how to get published.
I imagined myself becoming a NY Times Bestselling Author and appearing on Oprah with my incredible journey of transformation just a few months after I started writing poetry. Imagination IS everything though and while I have yet to be a guest on Oprah, I have had the joy of speaking engagements and appearing on many radio shows, podcasts and have my story shared in books and magazines.
While I imagined myself running free and being healthy, whole and healed, I did not imagine myself running THE 2009 Boston Marathon. I did not imagine that I would actually discover the sport of running and how it would change my life forever!
From my heart to yours--
In health and wellness - Mary
Visit my website
to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection
helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006
that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I
went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have
many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently
updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking
engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.
My books are available on Bookshop that share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club .
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