National Poetry Month: Reflections on a Journey of Transformation

As I 'cleared out' of the VA on 5/25/2007, I had no idea what the future held for me or, if in fact I had a future. In December of 2006, I'd been given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. I'd been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. In February of 2007, I did what I had often done throughout my life when I faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. The answer to my prayer - or should I say answers to my prayer - came in the form of a poem, "Running the Race" followed by what turned out to be an anthology of poems. My imagination ignited the power of the mind/body connection that created a future very different than the one Western Medicine predicted for me.

 

I took a leap of faith leaving behind an almost 6-figure salary with benefits just 3 years shy of when I would be eligible to retire. I followed my newfound bliss of writing poetry and even started a small business, "New World Greeting Cards: Original Poetry for Every Occasion." While poetry brought me joy; I literally felt no pain when I wrote poetry, and my pen became my divining rod for healing, there were much bigger plans on the horizon for me. 

 

In October of 2007, I met Janine Hightower, a personal trainer who was recruiting me to be part of her BNI group. The conversation about BNI and promoting my business faded into the background. Her in home personal training business came into sharp focus.

 

"Do you think you could help me to build on the outpatient rehab program Allison (my outpatient physical therapist) gave me when I was discharged in May?"

 

"Well, as Henry Ford said, 'Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right!'" She shared with me that I was too young to not be able to get off of a toilet seat or sofa without help or to need to use a tub chair in the shower. I was using a cane and a toe-up leg brace for mobility. I no longer needed a wheelchair since taking off the stress on mind, body and soul of my full-time job. Janine held enough faith for the two of us that I would be able to improve my functioning and quality of life.

 

In February of 2008, we were ready for me to set my next goals. I was so excited by the gains I'd made as evidenced by the difference in strength and endurance from our first session. I told Janine, "I want to feel free in my body. I want to walk outside independently without my leg brace and cane. Maybe I'll take a dance class again. I loved ballet before I contracted paralytic polio. Let's diversify my workouts."

 

She gathered up her things and had her hand on the door knob.

 

"Wait. I have one more goal."

 

"What's that?" she asked. 

 

What I said next bypassed any thought and came straight from the depths of my soul. "I want to run the Boston Marathon next year. I hear that Spaulding Rehab has a charity team."

 

Now she could have easily said how ridiculous an idea that was and let's set more realistic goals. Instead she said, without batting an eye. "Well you're going to need a pair of running shoes!"

 

In addition to the physical training, I wrote poetry on the road to Boston. In the first poem I wrote, "Running the Race", in February of 2007, I had no idea why I was focusing on winning a 10K race.

That poem foreshadowed my Boston Marathon run. Poetry fueled my training erasing doubts and fears and firing up my imagination visualizing race day. It strengthened my faith and conviction that all the pain from childhood trauma and paralytic polio would be transformed into passion and purpose. My message of healing, hope and possibilities inspired so many including many polio survivors who believed that they were destined for a downhill course as a result of having contracted polio in their younger years. 

 

There are many valid research studies that demonstrate the healing power of visualization and the mind/body connection. They are absolutely fascinating. Dr. David R. Hamilton shares these in his books, blogs and his FREE weekly newsletter, Better You, Backed by Science. Dr. Ellen J. Langer has been a Professor in Psychology at Harvard for over 40 years. Her books and studies continue to astound and amaze one with the impact of perception and environment on one's experience along with the power of mind/body unity. One of my favorite books by Dr. Langer is Counter Clockwise. I've compiled a list of resources for well-being on my website. What a joy to discover that there's science to support what I've experienced on this miraculous journey of transformation. 

 

After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I felt like the caterpillar in the cocoon sure that my life was coming to an end. And, just like that caterpillar, I emerged from my cocoon to fly free living the life that I was always meant to live.

 

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 Trilogy of Transformation chronicles my journey from having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair with the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards to a woman transformed through the sport of running. Take a journey into a world of healing, hope and possibilities with my 7 books, available on Amazon. My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club and Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reading for Every Runner. You will be inspired by my strength, courage, resilience, determination and overcoming the inevitable setbacks that come with a journey to health and wellness. 

"Meet Mary McManus — our first-ever Music Saved Me Story Contest winner. One story stopped us in our tracks. We are thrilled to announce that Mary McManus is the winner of the first-ever Music Saved Me Story Contest. Mary’s journey is one for the ages. She contracted paralytic polio at age five. She survived years of childhood trauma. And then, at the height of an award-winning career as a VA social worker, she was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Music — and the healing power of words — had other plans for Mary. Through poetry, perseverance, and an unshakeable belief in what’s possible, Mary transformed her life. At 53 she became a runner. At 55 she crossed the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon. That is what music can do." Stay tuned as I will be a guest on an upcoming exclusive episode.

 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.

 

Reach out to me at maryamcmanus@gmail.com if you'd like me to speak to your organization or group to inspire them with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary; how one finds strength, resilience and determination in the face of seemingly impossible odds.