The month of May is a month long celebration of when I took a leap of faith leaving behind an award-winning social work career at the VA on 5/25/2007. I am celebrating 19 years of healing after the once devastating diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006. 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. Western Medicine based their prognosis on clinical observations of individuals who had contracted paralytic polio in their younger years. Fortunately, I did not buy into the prognosis that was described in Dr. Julie Silver's book written in 2002, "Post-Polio Syndrome: A Guide For Polio Survivors and Their Families." I refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. Dr. Silver has since written books about the body's tremendous capacity to heal yet I do not see any updated information specifically about Post-Polio Syndrome. The Post-Polio Clinic at Spaulding Rehab continues to treat polio survivors with treatments based on the same prognosis!
In February of 2007, knowing I was at a crossroads in my life, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. My mind, body and soul were crying out for healing. I connected with Source tapping into the cadence of Dr. Seuss that had been a source of healing after I contracted paralytic polio. My physical therapist, Miss Holly was a healer ahead of her time. Before every painful physical therapy session, she'd prop me up on the red leather chair in the reception area of the office of Dr. Eugene Moskowitz. He was the supervising physiatrist who specialized in the treatment of polio survivors. There was a display of Dr. Seuss books on the table. She'd have me choose one; invariably The Cat in the Hat and she would read it to me. She took my hand as we entered the torture treatment room. During the painful sessions, as she would coax muscles back to health, she would have me respond in tandem to her to distract me from the pain and discomfort of rehabilitation. "The sun did not shine it was too wet to play. Your turn, she would say." "So we stayed inside all that cold cold wet day," I'd respond. Poetry flowed out of me on that dark night of mind, body and soul in February of 2007. My imagination was on fire and it ignited the power of the mind/body connection. My first poem, "Running the Race" foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run.
Last Saturday, Tom and I basked in the glory of Springtime in Boston with magnificent morning miles. There is nothing better than being outdoors unplugged in Nature with my bestie. We shared lots of oohs and aahs appreciating the miracle of rebirth that happens every year!
I too experience rebirth and renewal in May as it marks the day when I found the courage to leave behind a steady paycheck, benefits and what once was an incredibly rewarding career to follow my newfound bliss as a poet and author. With pen in hand, poetry in my soul and faith in my heart I embarked on a journey having no idea where it would lead. It led to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and many adventures as runnergirl 1953. It led to publishing 7 books that uplift, motivate and inspire readers with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary, two books of which helped readers navigate the pandemic. It led to inspiring others with my courage, strength and resilience despite or maybe because of knowing challenges since I was 5 1/2 years old starting with contracting paralytic polio followed by enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members until my dad ended his life by suicide when I was 17 years old. It has led to me discovering the truth of who I was always meant to be emerging from the rubble of my past and to experiencing joy and a vibrant life in a way I never knew was possible. Gratitude and appreciation run deep in the very fiber of my Being now. I take nothing for granted, grateful for every step, every mile, every workout and all the incredible experiences I've had that I would not know had I not taken that leap of faith.
Here's to the merry month of May as Mother Nature treats us to glorious displays of renewal and rebirth and I am fortunate to be celebrating 19 years of healing at 72 years young spreading a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities despite all appearances to the contrary.
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.
We asked you to share the stories of the songs, the albums, and the moments when music reached in and changed everything. You delivered. And 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."
Last year I was 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.
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I baptized my new Altra running shoes during these runs and was very impressed with how well they held up keeping my feet relatively dry. As the dreary days dragged on, I knew I needed a mood shifter on my runs. I thought about building an ark as a distraction but I wanted to find a way to be present. In Winter, it might have been a bit more challenging to find a shift, but we are having a most glorious Spring here in New England. Big thanks to these periods of rain followed by abundant sunshine.
