From Atrophy to Astonishing!

 

 

June 25 was my half birthday. I am 71.5 years young. I said to Tom when we were strength training the other day, "Wow. I've gone from atrophy to astonishing!" We talked about all the equipment I used to use to compensate for the faulty connection between nerves and muscles as a result of paralytic polio that I contracted at age 5 after I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. I had forgotten that we bought weighted utensils so that I could bring the spoon or fork to my mouth to eat. I now use conscious movement and concentration when I eat; sometimes when eating soup I need to use my left hand to steady the soup spoon until the connection is made. I had a tub chair because I was unsteady in the shower; it was also a tool for energy conservation. I had a toe up leg brace and cane for mobility, occasionally using a wheelchair when in the grocery store or to travel by plane. It was a challenge to cut my own toenails because of my lack of flexibility and unsteady hands. I had to brace myself against the sink to get off of the toilet seat and needed assistance to get off of the couch. At 53, I was old before my time. I remember the day we put everything outside when I no longer needed them.

In February of 2007, after getting still and asking for Divine Guidance, I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul. Although I knew about the power of the mind/body connection from Bernie Siegel, MD, I did not realize at the time that the portal to healing was opening before me. The first poem I wrote, "Running the Race" foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Isn't that astonishing?

In December of 2014, my left knee sustained a serious injury. The MRI indicated a whole host of issues. The physiatrist told me that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years and to stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. He told me that the left gastroc muscle had atrophied as a result of childhood paralytic polio. "There's nothing you can do about that and that's in part what caused the knee injury. It's been that way for years."

I was so fortunate and deeply grateful to meet a chiropractor who had Candace Pert, Ph.D. as an instructor in chiropractic school. He was also dialed into the  work of Dr. Joe Dispenza and his book, "You Are The Placebo."  We used chiropractic, KT tape, Theraband Stabilizers, a revamped strength training program and the mind/body connection through visualization and the mirror neuron system as explained by Dr. David Hamilton in his free weekly newsletter, "Better You. Backed by Science." It's incredible to now have the science to understand how I've been able to heal. I went on to run the 2016 Bermuda Half Marathon, the 2016 Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K and the Bermuda Half Marathons 2017 and 2018. In 2021/2022 I had a setback in my healing journey after an adverse response to the 2nd COVID vaccine. But true to form, I did a virtual 5K on 1/1/2023; the comeback is always greater than the setback! To celebrate turning 70 in 2023, I set my sights on the goal of the 2024 Bermuda 10K. Although I was a DNF in Bermuda, on May 4th as in May the Fourth Be With You, I went out and went the distance of a 10K again. Astonishing!

I'm in a joy filled new training cycle for the 2026 Hyannis Marathon Weekend 10K. I had an astonishing experience during one of my early morning meditations. I embodied myself as the young, lithe ballerina from Miss Patricia's ballet class before I contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5 and a half years old. I remembered every detail of going up the stairs to the 2nd floor (think of the song "At the Ballet" from "A Chorus Line"). My friends and I giggled and chatted as we put on our Capezio ballet shoes that I carried in my patent leather Capezio case. 

 

My leotard was under my clothes. As we took off the outer layers of our clothes, we were transformed into Miss Patricia's ballerinas. It was all business once we entered the room with the lacquered floor, barres and mirrors. I loved the music, the movement, and the rhythm of moving as one with my classmates. As much as moving as one for 3-5 year olds would allow that is.

"All I ever needed was the music, and the mirror and the chance to dance for you." In June 1959, my world crumbled around me as I contracted paralytic polio. The dancer within me was resurrected through my poetry and now in my mind's eye through visualization as I meditate. 

   

Ellen Langer has written a brilliant book, "Counter Clockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility." In another recent, "Better You. Backed by Science" free newsletter, Dr. David Hamilton summarizes the details of the study.

"In 1979, Langer invited a group of men in their 70s to spend a week at a retreat designed to resemble life 20 years earlier – 1959.

But they weren’t just reminiscing – they were asked to be who they were back then.

Langer’s hypothesis was: “If we put the mind back 20 years, would the body reflect this change?” 

 

The results of the study were astonishing!  

 

In addition to embodying the ballerina I was before I contracted paralytic polio, I am using anchor memories of all the races I have run since I became a most unlikely runner in 2008. I am focused and disciplined on training days and rest days. I have two mantras: "My body recovers with ease" and "The body believes what the mind can conceive."  During my meditations, I focus on visualization and express gratitude and love to my body for all it has given me and continues to give me.

 

A half birthday which just happens to coincide with being almost halfway through the year is a great time for reflection.  What a joy to celebrate 18 years of healing and going from atrophy to astonishing.

 

 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.

I was recently the guest on The Optimism Institute Blue Sky Podcast. 
"Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon." Here is the link to the Episode Website. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.

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. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.