Victory in Newburyport

 

After Tom and Ruth Anne's 11 mile run, Tom knew that he needed more time to recover from the Providence Half Marathon he ran in May with Ruth Anne for Victory Programs. For the next several weeks, Ruth Anne did her training runs solo getting in the zone to run the Newburyport Half Marathon. She studied the course map, meditated, visualized crossing the finish line and worked closely with her Coach Brian Simons to set herself up for success on race day. She had weekly appointments with George Leung for sports acupuncture.

We arrived at Hampton Inn Amesbury at noon on Saturday. Our room was ready. It was a wonderful start to what would be a magical weekend beyond our wildest imaginings.

I planned our itinerary after studying the race website. After bib pick up we went to The Flatbread Company in Amesbury. A 70 degree sunny day in late October is a gift for those of us living in New England. We took photos of each other and our amazing meal of farm to table salad with a flatbread pizza:

We drove to see where the starting line was. The race website suggested people arrive at least 1 1/2 hours before gun time to avoid sitting in traffic. Gun time was at 9:15. Ruth Anne did a little shake out walk per her training plan but wanted to spend as much time resting as possible for her big day. Here she is in her race swag:

                                                               

We returned to the hotel to unpack, meditate and post "Flat Ruth Anne" on social media.

We had a delicious dinner at Starboard Galley. I must admit, I was a bit nervous with what Ruth Anne chose as her pre-race fueling dinner but knew she was listening to her body giving it what it needed. Before Providence, she had a salad with grilled chicken. She also ordered French Onion Soup gratinee and sampled what Tom and I ordered; lobster salad and baked and breaded char.

We were treated to a beautiful sunset by the water before heading back to our hotel. As I meditated before sleep, I imagined someone running with Ruth Anne. I reminded her when we talked about her running solo that she would never be alone; that angels would be with her and she was going to rock this race for Victory Programs.

RACE DAY:

We had our breakfast in the room (I wish I would have taken a photo so you could see what bring your own breakfast complete with coffee pot and a Bodum looks like in a hotel room) and headed to the starting line. We had all imagined getting a parking spot inside Cashman Park. We did not know we would get a parking spot in front of the bathrooms. There was a gentleman who told us that the bathrooms are usually closed after Columbus Day but for 'some reason', this year, they kept them open.

Ruth Anne was psyched and ready to run:

 

 

As we headed toward the start, we saw members of our running family Tom Licciardello and Al Pappalardo and his wife Cathy. We hadn't seen Tom since packet stuffing for the October 2021 Boston Marathon and hadn't seen Al and Cathy in years although we kept in touch on social media. Ruth Anne was feeling chilled; the temperature was 45 degrees and it was cloudy. Fortunately we brought a pair of gloves that had been warmed underneath the heater in the car. It was just what she needed to take the chill off.

Ruth Anne felt a bit anxious as she saw the last pace marker was 11:00-12:00 minute mile. She lined up at the back of the pack and I reminded her what her Coach told her; start at 14:10 and as you get warmed up, you can pick up the pace.

She saw pacers for the race. One woman had a 2:45 pace sign. "Oh that's too fast for me," Ruth Anne said out loud to her.

"Well start with the sweep group and then move up to our group. You'll probably pass me at the finish!"

Ruth Anne spotted the 3:00 pacer. "What pace is that" she asked.

"13:45"

"That's my pace," Ruth Anne said with great excitement.

"You stick with her," Tom said. "She's going to be your new BFF."

Little did we know how prophetic those words would be.

Tom was hoping to take a video at the start but had it on photo by mistake. I wish he would have captured Michael Bernier and his incredibly inspirational pre-race speech. He told the runners with great enthusiasm to kick your worries to the curb and reminded them that they will be able to achieve what their mind tells them. "So what are you gonna tell yourself?" he asked the runners. "You're going to go out there and have the best race of your life to-day!"

And then he gave the "runners take your mark, get set and go" command:

Despite hearing Spirit speak through Michael advising me to kick my worries to the curb, I was so anxious about Ruth Anne running with a pacer that she had never done before. She was going to start out at a 14:10 pace and here she was starting out at 13:45.  I knew I had to let go and trust. I realized I was having a flashback to all those times when Ruth Anne was critically ill and no one could figure out what was going on. I went to the bathroom, looked in the mirror and told myself to pull it together. She was going to have a great day and be just fine! Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, I focused on how wonderful it was that Ruth Anne had someone to pace her so she wouldn't get anxious about her time. She wanted to run a PR and was hoping for a sub-3:00 half but her main goals were to have fun and raise a lot of money and awareness for Victory Programs.

There was no way to track the runners. 

We walked to the finish line. We had to turn around and come back because there was no access to the finish line with the way we were walking. I stopped in my tracks as I saw a dime on the sidewalk. I said a prayer of thanksgiving for the sign.

"Wait Tom - there's a penny."

"Awesome - 11 cents!" I thought to myself. Now that's really a sign knowing that 11 is a spiritual number.

We took a few more steps - "Oh my God - there's another penny!" 

"Well you better find one more," Tom said.

"Yup, here it is!" I proudly proclaimed as another penny seemed to appear out of thin air.

"Okay," I told myself. "It's time for you to relax and enjoy this day!"

Al and Cathy were at the finish line. Talking with them helped to ease my momma jitters.

Tom and I settled into our beach chairs and I got a text from Ruth Anne:

5.34

Shortly after another text - 5.86 - almost half way.

"Are you with pacer? You've got this."

"Yep. She's incredible."

"Yay. Go finish strong."

Another text: 8.17

Ruth Anne's dear friend Jenn DeSimone from L Street Running Club arrived. I texted Ruth Anne "Jenn just arrived." She texted Jenn that she was at 8.21.

A runner with L Street gear on was wearing his finisher's medal. We introduced ourselves and I gave him Ruth Anne's fundraising business card. He said he would go right home and donate (which he did!) 

Our dear friend Marcie DiLorenzo crossed the finish line. We had been planning to get together but then you know, the pandemic. It was such a blessed reunion. We introduced Marcie and Jenn and took a photo with the sign Jenn made for Ruth Anne:

We received a text at 11:43 and then:

I was moved to go up to the race announcers, Danny and Solice, and share Ruth Anne's story with them giving them her fundraising business card. Little did I know what they were about to do. Solice's words came straight from his heart. "Beautiful thing done by a beautiful human."

Ruth Anne finished in 3 hours exactly scoring a 20 minute PR for her half but more than that, experienced the total grace with Pacer Angel Kristen Gohr.

I was sobbing as I shared a snippet of Ruth Anne's journey. She said that she knew there was a story there but didn't ask. She said she is a healer and a teacher. Is she ever! I told her how worried I was at first about Ruth Anne running with a pacer because we didn't know if she'd be able to stop for fueling and hydration or if she needed a bathroom stop. "Oh I made sure she was fine out there." Ruth Anne shared with me how she'd watch the pace and basically ran at Ruth Anne's pace figuring out what they needed to do to come in at 3:00 hours. It was truly a magical and miraculous experience for Ruth Anne and Kristen.

There were hugs and photos as Ruth Anne's Pacer Angel and I exchanged information. Jenn presented Ruth Anne with a trophy that she said was symbolic of the champion that she is:

 

 

Kristen said that Ruth Anne is her new BFF for life! She wants to pace Ruth Anne for the Bay State Marathon next year!

We said our goodbyes with more hugs and tears. Ruth Anne took a shower at the hotel and we had a celebratory lunch at Loretta's back in Newburyport. There was a live jazz band. The song they played as we sat down at our table was "When You Wish Upon a Star".

When we arrived home, I received a text from Kristen:

My heart is full of joy today for Ruth Anne!! My heart is also full because I had the amazing opportunity to be with her on her run! I am truly inspired by her commitment, positivity, determination and wonderful spirit!
 I would love to keep in touch! Please pass along my contact info if ok with you! I truly hope I have the opportunity to run with Ruth Anne again someday!! 🙏💕

She sent along these two photos:

 

We are still smiling and feeling the joy and love of the epic adventure of the Newburyport Half Marathon, Half Marathon #1 for Ruth Anne's Trilogy of Half Marathons. We have expanded our village to include people who exude love, joy, compassion, care and kindness; people who know the true meaning of service and what life is truly all about. There was an outpouring of love and donations from our Facebook village. Ruth Anne shared how Kristen was with her every step of the way helping her through a tough hill with coaching her on her breathing. She shared how much fun she made the race. She encouraged her to run ahead as they were coming near the end of the run suggesting she looked like she could have run faster. Ruth Anne let her know that she was not going to break the finisher's tape and it was runner's code that they stay together. She knew there was a finish line moment that she wanted to savor and relish with her Pacer Angel.

We went to sleep with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

To donate to Ruth Anne's fundraiser, please follow this link. 

From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

Every Finish Line is a Starting Line: Reflections on an Epic Race-cation

 

Whether being a runner or a spectator, the experience of a race weekend is exhilarating. It has been two years since we have been able to feel the energy and sense of community that is part of a race-cation. Last November, while I was writing "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic," I asked Ruth Anne what she thought the arc of my story should be. Without hesitation she said, "After we cross the finish line of the Providence Marathon next May." Initially, that didn't feel quite right to me but here we are. It feels as though we have crossed the finish line of the pandemic and Ruth Anne has crossed the finish line of a season of healing in her life. 

During the pre-Boston Marathon festivities last October, Ruth Anne planned to run the Boston Marathon in April for Spaulding Rehab. Applications would open in December. Once we had a proper diagnosis and treatment for Ruth Anne and she was on the road to recovery, Ruth Anne fell in love with volunteering at ReVision Urban Farm. She created a birthday fundraiser for me in December of 2020 and continued fund raising for her birthday in August of 2021. Eve Rabinowitz, the Corporate and Community Engagement Manager for Victory Programs reached out to Ruth Anne last November. She noted that she knew Ruth Anne was involved with different causes and might not have the time, but would she consider doing a Friends Feeding Friends fundraiser. Ruth Anne took a pause on running Boston and talked with Eve about running the Providence Marathon to raise money for Victory Programs and the Farm. Eve was ecstatic and set up her fundraising page with an initial goal of $3000.

As serendipity would have it, Brian Simons who I knew through Spaulding Rehab's Race for Rehab Team was launching his Coaching Business, Creaky Bones: Running-Coaching-Performance. He was establishing a new business and Team McManus needed a coach. In early December, we partnered with Brian and Creaky Bones.

After a 15 mile training run which was preceded by Tom shoveling us out from a snowstorm and several weeks after a 9 mile training run on the treadmill, Tom powered through but ended up sideways and in a lot of pain. We decided that a full marathon was not in the stars but a half marathon would become the goal. Coach adjusted the training plan. Victory Programs was all in with the change and our village was incredibly supportive about the change in distance.

They trained with heart, dedication, persistence and determination and race day was epic!

We drove to Providence, went to bib pick up:

 and our room at the Omni Providence was ready for an early check in. We had never been to Providence before and it was challenging to navigate our way around since people encouraged us to use the sky walk from the hotel to the mall. We eventually found our way to Uno Pizzeria (and found a penny along the way)

We were so happy to get off of our feet back in the room. We unpacked and had a long meditation/nap. We went downstairs to get bottles of sparkling water and the once quiet and subdued lobby was bustling with activity. Runners had their gear in tow and we were asking one another, "What are you running tomorrow." We were thrilled with our early check in and a room on the 3rd floor where we could hunker down with room service and relaxation.

The beauty of the setting sun bode well for race day:

Rise and shine at 5:45 to allow for plenty of time for breakfast, pre-race bathroom time (runners will appreciate the importance of that step), and walking to the starting line. Throngs of runners lined the streets on the path to the starting line. We arrived in time to hear the start of the marathon and take pre-race photos.

"Look! There's Brian," Ruth Anne shouted. He came running over to us. I love how we're able to find people in a crowd of over 2000 runners:

Brian's presence helped to calm pre-race jitters especially for me as a spectator. We sent Tom and Ruth Anne off to the back of the pack and Brian and I waited at the start to cheer them on their 13.1 journey:

 

 

Brian helped me to get set up at the finish line while he went out to find a spot to cheer them on out on the course:

 

I sent out lots of great energy for Tom and Ruth Anne while reading the social media messages of cheers and prayers. I was a little unnerved when I received a text saying Ruth Anne crossed the finish at 8:04 with a course time of 2:04:43 and a pace of 9:32. Right after I received the text, Eve (who was coming down with Chief Development Office Deborah Edison to cheer on Tom and Ruth Anne at the finish) texted me asking if that was correct. I told her no worries, they just started, I did not expect to receive a text with an update and knew I just had to trust in their training and of course the Divine. 

What a very pleasant surprise to receive a text with an update at the 10K letting me know that Tom and Ruth Anne were running a 14:46 minute/mile pace. I immediately texted Brian who responded with, "Perfect. I found a great spot at Mile 11."

I was getting a little anxious as I calculated the pace and how far they had to go to Mile 11 (never a good idea) and asked Brian if he saw them. "Not yet," he replied, "Soon." He let me know that they were back on the roads after Mile 11 with smiles and were slowed down by Porta-potty stops but reassured me they were looking strong. "They're walking," he added letting me know that they slowed their pace. They had planned to do a run/walk interval. By mile 11, Tom was feeling the miles.

Brian sent me this photo:

Eve texted me to say they arrived but she couldn't find me. The crowd of spectators had grown thick by then as runners began to cross the finish line. "I'm wearing the red Victory Programs shirt," she texted and within a minute we found each other. I was so grateful that I did not have to wait alone during those last 2.1 miles. Another friend texted that they were on their way but were having trouble parking. "Have they crossed yet?" Karen asked. A moment before I received her text, Ruth Anne texted me with, "One mile to go." The text came sooner than I expected!

We all had our cameras ready to capture the epic moment. Brian was able to capture the announcement:

I wasn't sure if my video even came out because I was so overcome with emotion:

I love how they high-fived and embraced. Tom and Ruth Anne made their way over to us. It was as though the runners and spectators around us faded into the background while Tom, Ruth Anne, Eve, Deborah, Brian, Karen and her husband Chris excitedly talked with each other. Karen said this was such a great opportunity to check off seeing Tom and me. We were about to get together before the pandemic. Karen said she has a list of people on her "we were planning to get together list and then the pandemic happened." We plan to get together this summer in Providence. Deborah and Eve regaled us with gratitude and compliments and yet Ruth Anne thanked them for this amazing opportunity. 

They presented us with these beautiful track jackets embroidered with Victory Programs on them:

 

Our hearts overflowed with love, gratitude, joy, excitement for the accomplishment of running a half marathon and exhilaration for an incredibly successful fundraising campaign. 

Ruth Anne said that crossing that finish line would be the beginning of a new season in her life. The journey on the Road to Providence for Victory Programs awakened within her a gift, a passion and a purpose that Deborah would like to support and nourish. Ruth Anne scoured the internet for programs to further her education and for career exploration. While she started a program at Boston College for a Masters in Leadership and Administration, it wasn't feeding her heart and soul. Deborah suggested she get a certificate in Professional Fundraising at Boston University. Who knew such a thing existed? 

Every finish line is a starting line! Ruth Anne is so excited to pursue her passion in this next season of her life. Tom feels incredibly vibrant and energized by being able to run a half marathon at 70 and plans a return appearance with Ruth Anne next year. A year ago, Tom felt 'old' but he realized he still had a LOT of life left in him. He left his job where he was under appreciated and experienced age discrimination and is doing contract work. Training for this race gave him that extra boost he needed to feel healthy and younger than his biological age. He enters a new season in his life with great anticipation of perhaps winning his age group (he came in 7/8) and enjoying these later years of his life.

I was transformed through their journey and being a part of the racing scene again. We are emerging from the pandemic into the light stronger and more resilient than before the pandemic began. I am celebrating 15 years of healing this month. On 5/25/2007, I set off on a new season of my life taking a leap of faith leaving behind my award winning social work career to heal my life. 

It's a time of wondrous and wonderful happenings that was reflected in conversations overheard after the race. One marathoner said, "We really needed this!"

On our way back to the hotel, we found another penny:

We enjoyed a post-race celebration meal along with many other runners at The Cheesecake Factory where people congratulated each other and greeted each other with "How did you do?" It's been two years since we've had this kind of experience and my heart and soul overflowed with gratitude that we could have this experience again.

As for Coach Brian, he posted this on Facebook:

I am so inspired by them! It was so awesome to see their hard work and my coaching business notch its first finish!

・・・

It took a few days to process how amazing Sunday was as a coach!

I am so proud of my athletes! They did it! My clients crushed their half marathon in Providence this past weekend! A 20 minute PR! Their diligence and dedication paid off! I’m so grateful to have had the the opportunity to create their training plans, adjust them as needed, and help them enjoy the process and progress!

On to the next race and goal!

#halfmarathon #runcoach #movethosebones #creakybonesrcp

 

Indeed -- every finish line is a starting line!

 

From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

It's Time for a Race-cation

 

It seems like only yesterday that I started the On The Road to Providence For Victory Programs to document Ruth Anne and Tom's journey of training and fundraising. It started out as on the road to the Providence Marathon, but after a 15 mile training run left Tom sideways, Team McManus opted for the Half Marathon distance. They received so much support from our village and Victory Programs for their decision. When we talked with Coach Brian Simons, we talked about how the pandemic had taken a toll on everyone mind, body and soul. As we emerge from the pandemic, we all needed to honor what would be best for all Tom and Ruth Anne as runners, and for me as the marathon manager.

Our last race-cation was in February of 2020 at Hyannis Marathon Weekend. As we crowded the ballroom and hallways, greeted each other with hugs and high fives and warmly hugged each other goodbye with "See you in Boston," we had no idea life would come to a screeching halt a few weeks later. The pandemic has been quite the journey. I know how incredibly blessed we have been through it all. Ruth Anne had to take yet another COVID test for work and once again it was negative. We have all been physically healthy throughout the pandemic. There were bumps along the road exacerbated by the pandemic that took a toll on our emotional well-being but gratitude helps us to keep a perspective on how blessed and fortunate we are. 

Tom and Ruth Anne trained through every kind of weather. The forecast looks amazing for Sunday. The question is how many times can I refresh the Weather Channel page set to Providence weather before Sunday. We started packing last week checking off necessities that we could pack ahead of time on our list. This Race-cation has a very different feel from pre-pandemic Race-cations. There is an excitement intensified by the two year hiatus since we had a running vacation. Appreciation and gratitude overflow knowing how precious life is. Our freedom to travel, stay at a hotel and gather with friends at a race weekend is no longer something we come to expect in our lives.

During an interview on Tuesday, chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci shared that the U.S. is “out of the pandemic phase” of COVID-19 as hospitalizations and cases have plummeted.

Fauci made his statement during an interview with PBS’s “NewsHour” when he was asked if the nation was close to the end of the pandemic.

“We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase,” Fauci said.

During an interview with The Washington Post, Fauci clarified that the global pandemic is still going on, but the U.S. is going through a transition period.

“The world is still in a pandemic. There’s no doubt about that. Don’t anybody get any misinterpretation of that. We are still experiencing a pandemic,” Fauci said.

However, he said that the virus is no longer causing the same amount of hospitalizations and deaths that it had when omicron swept the nation over the winter.

Throughout the winter, Fauci said the U.S. was experiencing a “full-blown pandemic phase.” Then, he said when cases started falling, it moved into a “deceleration” phase, and now we are transitioning to the control phase.

“The way we were months ago, where we were having 900,000 cases a day, tens of thousands of hospitalizations, three thousand deaths a day,” Fauci said. “The deaths went from 3,000 down to 300.”

Fauci predicted we would hit a “control” stage of the pandemic by last fall, before the delta and omicron variants emerged, causing a spike in cases. Now he is saying the same, as new variants are not posing a threat.

The doctor said that omicron subvariants have started to spread, they are not impacting hospitalizations or deaths like their variant predecessor.

“Right now, we’re at a low enough level that I believe that we’re transitioning into endemicity. ... We’re not in the full-blown explosive pandemic phase. That does not mean that the pandemic is over,” Fauci said. “A pandemic means widespread infection throughout the world. ... In our country, we’re transitioning into more of a controlled endemicity.”

With cases getting better, the nation has started to adjust to a new way of life as mask mandates, restrictions, and other COVID-19 era policies continue to be lifted.

Even though mandates are becoming a thing of the past, COVID-19 is still present in our communities, and health experts continue to urge Americans to make the best choices for themselves. 

During a Race-cation, we would plan to take advantage of all of the hotel amenities. We decided to forego use of the swimming pool. Food service at the hotel is still limited so we will be bringing all of our breakfast needs for race day. We will look like we are going away for a week with all of our bags but that was true pre-pandemic.

When we check into the hotel, we will have come full circle from the last week of February in 2020. Once again we are able to look forward to a weekend of anticipation, excitement, bib pick ups, pre-race fueling for runners and support crew, asking people as they pass by, "You running on Sunday?", getting up at the crack of dawn on Sunday, feeling #allthefeels and heading to the start line. We are visualizing Race Weekend from start to finish with exactly how we want it to be. It's easy for gremlin thoughts that are residue from having lived through the pandemic to creep in but I keep coming back to focusing on how we all want the weekend to be and staying focused on only positive experiences.

The hay is in the barn as they say. The fundraising was a phenomenal success raising $7700 for Victory Programs and their ReVision Urban Farm. To learn about the work they do to help with healing, hope, recovery, housing and food security visit Ruth Anne's fundraising page and if you are so moved, make a donation to support her run.

It's two more sleeps until we head to Providence for our first Race-cation in two years. 

From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

 

On Gratitude Runs & Perspective

After Saturday's run, I was so grateful to wake up to melting snow and dry ground on Monday morning. As I did my 5K through the neighborhood while Tom and Ruth Anne did their 3 mile tempo run, I felt inspired to pick up my pace while feeling blessed by the glorious sunshine. Sunday was a dreary grey day in Boston and Monday's sunshine provided a delicious contrast to the gloom that dominated Sunday's skies.

Despite all the doom and gloom in the headlines, I felt uplifted with the sunbeams feeling my connection to the Divine in all of her glory. I reflected on the miracle of my healing from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma and the miracle of my being having overcome the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome which was due in large part to the unhealed trauma of my youth. We went out over Tom's lunch hour. We all devoured our lunch savoring not only the food but how great it feels to move our bodies outdoors in the winter. 

Wednesdays are rest days for Tom and Ruth Anne so it's up to me to get my motivation gears in motion and get out the door to do my 5K. Temperatures were still in the teens when we got up but the forecast called for moderating temperatures. By 11:30 the temperature went up to 36 degrees! Talk about perspective thinking temperatures were UP to 36 degrees Fahrenheit. I was ecstatic the the arctic blast of minus 10 degrees with wind chill had quickly moved through. We've had winters when we've been 'trapped' in the Polar Vortex.

Ruth Anne insisted on taking a photo of me since I am the one who has been documenting their Providence Marathon run:

Gratitude filled my heart that she wanted to acknowledge what I continue to accomplish in my own way at my own pace. After all, 15 years ago I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair as a survivor of paralytic polio having been diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease.

I let the sun's warmth bathe me mind, body and soul reflecting on the miracle of healing in my life. Since we are in the middle of winter here in New England, I looked to the skies for beauty. I captured the presence of the Divine and angels through my camera's lens.

 

 I often use the hastag every step is a gift and every mile is a blessing. I felt it with every foot step on Monday's and Wednesday's runs. I was running what could have been a boring and mundane run around the neighborhood. Instead the run was transformed by the attitude I chose to bring to the run. I feel inspired by Tom and Ruth Anne's dedication, consistency and persistence with their training on the road to the Providence Marathon for Victory Programs and ReVision Urban Farm. Despite the climate of fear and uncertainty that dominates the headlines these days, people are incredibly generous with donations and words of support and encouragement. They know the marathon of healing that Ruth Anne endured and they know the integrity and passion that fuels Team McManus' journey on and off of the roads. The work that Victory Programs does saves lives and transforms lives. Their staff is second to none.

It could be so easy to get swept away once more, as we did in 2020, by the tsunamai of divisiveness, terror, panic and hopelessness yearning for the pandemic to end. During these challenging times I find it is vital for our family and me to stay focused on goodness, doing good, feeling well, being well and, as I talked about in a previous post, being unrelenting with compassion and kindness.

An attitude of gratitude and keeping perspective in my corner of the Universe sends out ripples of positive energy, love and moves the world into the light.

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

 

Hope for the Holidays

 

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity! There are so many wonderful causes to choose from when it comes to where you want to donate. I love to spread my donations around knowing that when you donate even $10 to a cause it can make a huge difference as others do the same.

Voices of Hope Boston and Victory Programs and Victory Programs ReVision Urban Farm are two causes near and dear to my heart. I hope after reading about these two programs, you will find it in your heart to make them part of your Giving Tuesday or any day of the week donations during this holiday season.

VOICES OF HOPE BOSTON

Voices of Hope Boston is a registered, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with more than 150 active volunteer members who share a passion for the performing arts and a desire to join the fight against cancer by raising awareness and funds for cancer research.

Their inspirational performers, whose lives have all been affected in some way by cancer, share stories of hope, loss, and courage through song, dance, and testimonials, allowing for an intimate and inspiring look at our collective fight against cancer.

To that end, Voices Of Hope dedicates its performances and additional fundraising efforts to this life-changing cause. They are on a march to a million; with a goal to raise at least $1 million dollars for cancer research. Since 2009, Voices of Hope has donated $836,000 dollars to cancer research and over a half a million dollars directly to the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the MGH Cancer Center.  From 2009 to 2011, Voices of Hope supported the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Sciences at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2013, Voices of Hope began supporting the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies  and continue that support.

Without being able to do their annual performances, Voices of Hope lost their main source of fundraising. They have gotten quite creative at finding ways to continue raising money. Tomorrow is the kickoff of their Virtual Gala, "Dancing in the Rain: A Musical Celebration of Resilience and Hope." You can get your virtual ticket by making a donation of any amount and visit their fantastic array of Silent Auction Items by following this link. The Silent Auction ends at 7pm on December 1st and the show runs through December 31st.

“Voices of Hope is fighting the good fight in a remarkable way: raising funds to help cure cancer, and doing it with a song in their great-big collective heart.  Please donate if you can, and help this incredible company of caring & talented human beings help those struggling with cancer.  And enjoy their beautiful music.”  Sean Allan Krill – Tony nominated actor “Jagged Little Pill” who also donated an Original Broadway Cast signed poster from Jagged Little Pill.

After bringing over 50 members of VoH to support Broadway being back, Sean came to Schubert Alley to meet with the group (masks removed only briefly for photo ops.) Here are Sean and Greg Chastain, President and Founder of VoH with Ed Siegel, Vice President; his wife Dana, Executive Artistic Director; Beth Consoli, Director of Membership, and Jean Chastain, Treasurer.

 

VICTORY PROGRAMS AND VICTORY PROGRAMS REVISION URBAN FARM

When Ruth Anne crosses the finish line of the Providence Marathon on May 1, 2022, she will be running with more than her legs. She will be running with all of her heart for those running the marathon of healing and recovery at Victory Programs.

Victory Programs is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families who are homeless and may have substance use disorders, often accompanied by chronic health issues like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and mental illness. Providing a welcoming environment, their compassionate and inspiring team is committed to helping them regain their health and restore their hope through immediate access to safe and stable housing.

Victory Programs’ ReVision Urban Farm is an innovative community-based urban agriculture project that grows produce in its own fields and provides access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to residents of our ReVision Family Home and our extended community. In association with ReVision Family Home, they also provide job training for youth and Boston’s homeless. They are the oldest urban farm in Boston.

Your donation to Victory Programs has an especially powerful impact during the holidays and as winter approaches in Boston. After several years of critical illness, Ruth Anne volunteered at ReVision Urban Farm as a way to get back into the community. The mission, passion and purpose of Victory Programs and the Farm captured her heart. You can follow this link to donate to her fundraising page.

Give the gift of healing, hope and possibilities this year by choosing Voices of Hope Boston and Victory Programs as nonprofits who will bring hope for the holidays to all whose lives they touch through their life changing work.

Thank you for your consideration!

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

 

Running for Victory

 

When Ruth Anne began to get traction in her healing journey following several years of being critically ill, she said that one of her goals was to run another marathon! She thought long and hard about which marathon she wanted to run and for what cause. 

One of the first places Ruth Anne volunteered while she went through outpatient therapy at Spaulding Rehab was Victory Programs ReVision Urban Farm. In addition to the healing powers of 'dirt therapy', the staff welcomed her with open arms knowing her journey. Their compassion and kindness towards her and anyone who came by the farm warmed her heart and soul. She became an Ambassador, fundraising, helping with marketing and CSA sales. 

 From Victory Programs Facebook page:

Victory Programs believes that all people deserve care.

For men and women struggling with addiction, we are recovery;

For young mothers and children with nowhere to turn, we are shelter;

For people coping with HIV/AIDS, we are support;

And for those who were homeless for years on end, we are home.

When Eve Rabinowitz reached out to her to see if she would set up a fundraising page for Friends Feeding Victory for the month of November, Ruth Anne knew that she would run her marathon for Victory Programs and Victory Programs ReVision Urban Farm. She had been looking at running the Providence Marathon with her dad and decided that would be 'their' marathon. Tom wanted to run a marathon to celebrate his 70th birthday in March so all the stars were aligned.

When Ruth Anne sent an email to Eve letting her know she wanted to run the Providence Marathon for Victory Programs she was thrilled. Ruth Anne and Eve put together her fundraising page which you can go to by clicking on this link.

About Victory Programs:
Victory Programs is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families who are homeless and may have substance use disorders, often accompanied by chronic health issues like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and mental illness. Providing a welcoming environment, our compassionate and inspiring team is committed to helping them regain their health and restore their hope through immediate access to safe and stable housing.

About Victory Programs' ReVision Urban Farm:
Victory Programs’ ReVision Urban Farm is an innovative community-based urban agriculture project that grows produce in its own fields and provides access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to residents of our ReVision Family Home and our extended community. In association with ReVision Family Home, we also provide job training for youth and Boston’s homeless.  

 Running a marathon requires endurance, determination, discipline, persistence, motivation and an ability to keep moving forward no matter how you may be feeling.

The clients at Victory Programs are running their marathons of healing and recovery.

On the roads and in life, running a marathon takes a village!

We are so grateful for the funds raised so far and look forward to exceeding Ruth Anne's current fundraising goal of $3000.Ruth Anne is putting together raffle prizes to put the fun in fundraising and the outpouring of support from local businesses has been astounding!

Everyone's a winner when they donate to support Victory Programs and Victory Programs ReVision Urban Farm and we look forward to giving back to those who give.

Please donate whatever you can as Ruth Anne runs the Providence Marathon for Victory Programs.

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon