When Life Doesn't Go As Planned...

I thought I had it all figured out. In three years I would be 'eligible' to retire from my award-winning career as a Social Worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. Including the time I spent during my internship, I would have age and time in service to be eligible to receive full retirement benefits. My plan was to do something completely different than what I had done during my past 25 years as a social worker; like work at Bloomingdale's. I smile and shudder to look back on what I was thinking. I was burned out because I did not know how to practice good self-care. Looking 'forward' to retirement was common for the front line workers at the VA. You don't know what you don't know.

 

Symptoms of burn out started 10 years before I actually decided that I needed to address what was happening to me mind, body and soul.  I got still in October of 2006 and googled Post-Polio Syndrome. The story of how I learned about Post-Polio Syndrome gives you a glimpse of how I burned out in the first place. I had reconstructive leg surgery to correct a deformity on my left leg. At my post-op visit, my surgeon, Dr. Donald Reilly said he needed my help with one of his patients. I reminded him I was there for MY post-op visit and he reassured me he would take care of me as well. She was the wife of a veteran and needed surgery to alleviate the pain she was experiencing secondary to Post-Polio Syndrome. He needed me to get her husband care so she could have the surgery. The Spaulding Rehab International Rehab Center for Polio and Post-Polio was a half hour drive from my home. It was a great place to start addressing my symptoms but I was told that it was a progressive neuromuscular disease, that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline as I aged. The only way to try to slow down the symptoms was to quit my job. But what's a social worker to do?

I was referred to Dr. ElAbd, a master magician who told me getting rid of my cervical spine pain was a slam dunk. After trigger injections, he referred me to Allison Lamarre Poole. At this time of year, I reflect on my health and wellness journey in the wake of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. May 25th will mark 18 years since I took a leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning career as a VA social worker to "heal my life" and follow my newfound bliss as a poet and writer.
 

The phrase second act was unknown to me at the time and truth be told I was in totally uncharted waters. I am so grateful to Allison for laying a solid foundation in physical therapy to begin healing the breach in my mind/body connection. She embraced and encouraged me writing poetry starting my business, "New World Greeting Cards:Original Poetry for Every Occasion." As she discharged me from outpatient therapy in May 2007, she gave me a home exercise program. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You'll be consistent with this right? You don't ever want to go back to where you were when you first came to see me, do you?"

 

My new goal of running the Hyannis 10K next February fuels my consistency in strength training and training runs. I've fallen in love with taking care of myself mind, body and soul. I cannot imagine how my life would have turned out and if it did go as I had planned.

 

In February of 2007, I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul. My pen became my divining rod for healing and opened the portal to the mind/body connection. My first poem foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run!

 

When I told my colleagues that I would be leaving the VA in 6 weeks on May 25th, they were sure that it was madness. What would I do for money? Couldn't I work part-time instead? One can't make money as a poet or as an author. Who could blame them? At every turn, the madness did ultimately turn into magic. 

 

As in every journey, there were twists and turns, trials and triumphs. There were times of financial stress but the Universe always had our back. I had an injury in 2014 and major setback in 2021/2022 but I continued to garner strength and wisdom finding out just how resilient I am when I remain connected to Source being ever mindful of my passion and purpose.

 

From an early age my life didn't go as one would hope for a 5 year old. I contracted paralytic polio and endured unimaginable horrors at the hands of family members, the death of my father by suicide when I was 17 and my nephew's death by suicide in 2011.  I felt a touch of grace early on and have been blessed to have so many wonderful earth angels bless my life with their presence. I knew from an early age, feeling a powerful connection to Source, that I would make it through whatever came my way. Eighteen years ago, I was given the gift of the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome. It was the greatest blessing in my life as it allowed me to let go of the life I had planned to embrace the glorious life that was waiting for me.

 

 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.

Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon. My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary.   My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews. It's a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club  and Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner.