Eighteen years ago, on 5/25, I set out on a healing quest. In December of 2006, I was given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. My amazing husband told me it was a no-brainer when I was also told that if there were any hope of stabilizing the symptoms where they were that I leave my award-winning social work career with all the benefits of a regular paycheck.
I decided that I was not going to take the diagnosis sitting down and so I sat down, got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I was in the dark night of mind, body and soul, knowing I was at a crossroads in my life. It was February of 2007. The poem, "Running the Race" flowed out of me. I was a bit confused as to why I was writing a poem about running given the prognosis I received as I sat in a toe up leg brace using a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility. My body was deconditioned and I was in chronic pain, depressed and anxious. But that poem lit a spark of hope and healing within me! Poems began to pour out of me in which I imagined myself running, dancing in the rain without my leg brace, expressing forgiveness to those who had inflicted abuse on me, gratitude for the challenges I faced throughout childhood and the challenge I then faced with the diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disease.
I was blessed with earth angels of a pain management physician, physical therapist and personal trainer. My pen became my divining rod for healing and resources for healing flowed into my inbox and social media feeds. I've dedicated a page to resources for well-being on my website. I rekindled the faith I had after contracting paralytic polio and felt that the Universe was conspiring with me to guide me on my new path of healing, passion and purpose.
When I've been waiting to be introduced as a motivational speaker, the persons making the introduction on a few occasions have asked me if I'm sure I want to include the fact that I suffered abuse at the hands of family members in my introduction. I ask if they are uncomfortable saying it because it's a big part of what makes my story so compelling. I defied the odds after contracting paralytic polio at the age of 5 and a half and enduring 9 years of abuse until my father's suicide when I was 17.
I still have hard days but know they don't last. Last Saturday's 3.6 miler in the chilly, windy, pouring rain was really tough for me. I appreciate the easier days so much more after I've been on the struggle bus.
Perhaps one of the gazillion reasons I LOVE running is that it's a wonderful metaphor for life. Tough days don't last but tough people do. Once I made a radical shift from victim to thriver in my thinking after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, healing was set in motion. Although I have never broken the finisher's tape at a race, and most times have finished last, I still feel like a Champion. I've navigated so many incredibly hard days throughout my 71 years, that I claim myself as the Champion of my life. I am deeply grateful I have had so many opportunities to share my journey of transformation knowing the impact I have had through interviews, my books, blog, sharing my story in others' books and feedback I receive when I've been a motivational speaker. My heart and soul are warmed when readers send me emails or messages on social media of how my books have given them hope. Early on in my healing journey, I was featured in articles in the Brookline Tab. Readers were able to leave comments.
But I wasn't running to only reclaim my life; to move out of a mindset of disability and emotional and physical paralysis. I had a purpose that I felt and continue to feel deep in my soul. I was running to inspire others as reflected in the comments from the article:
DEAR MARY I'M SO PROUD OF YOU AND WISH YOU THE BEST OF THE BEST AT EVERY GOAL YOU ARE A GREAT WOMAN, I'M THINKING ABOUT MY LIFE IS A POST POLIO PERSON AND WISH I CAN DO THE SAME YOU DOING NOW
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
RAUL CORNEJO
Hello Mary, i stumbled onto your story.
I had polio when i was 14 months old; 27 years after, i still struggle with the physical and 'mostly' the emotional trials that accompany polio.
I'm a doctor,so daily i encounter people with a variety of challenging conditions and i constantly draw strength from how different people embrance their unique situations.
I am particularly inspired by your unrelenting spirit, 50 years on!
I just got back from taking a long walk.
I was thinking about my life in general and saying to myself, are you just going to give in to polio without a fight?
I decided that i'll start running in the evenings to strengthen my calfs and increase my muscle bulk. During my walk, i also dealt with some emotional issues... but i digress.
I got home and got on the internet to see if there where any researched exercise routines benefical to polio survivors, i wanted to be sure running was safe.
I got a lot of info, the unianimous advice was, don't over exert yourself, complete with the medical explanations why overexertion could be harmful.
I know running may be a stretch for me, i don't know how beneficial it will be, but i know that miracles still do happen.
Polio will not hinder me anymore. I am definately gonna give it a shot.
I'll come back here to let you know my improvement.
I am very inspired by your determination and i thank you for sharing your story.
God bless you.
Hi Mary. I was listening to the radio the other night and I heard your interview. I don't know if you remember me but you took care of my husband George Murray while at the VA hospital as well as saving my life on a daily basis back then. You were truly my angel. I am so happy to have an opportunity to thank you for all you did for me back then and I have often wondered about how you were and then I heard you quite by accident as I still get up really early but the radio was on and I immediately recognized your voice. Do I think you will run this marathon, absolutely. You will do it. I am sorry you have gone through these health problems but you sound wonderful. I am going to get your book and I know I will love it. God bless you and I know he does.
Love
Maureen Murray
If you'd met Mary last year and then again today, you will be pleasantly surprised by the changes in her. She positively radiates with energy and good cheer. If exercise is how she's made the changes then I definitely want to start moving more too. It would be nice to have a follow-up after she has run her marathon.
Beth Blutt
I think it is awesome that she has been able to rebuild her strength a second time. I am encouraged now to continue exercising myself and continue to accomplish as much as I can in my golden years instead of settling for couch potato status.
Linda DuPre
Let's all keep sharing our healing stories, being grateful for the hard days and feel the joy and celebration of being a Champion of our lives!
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 share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.
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