How Lucky I Am to be Alive Right Now!

 

 

Saturday was the first day in a long time that Tom and I were able to get our run on in short sleeves and shorts. As we made our way around the Route 9 Reservoir savoring the lush green and the sights, scents and sounds of Springtime in Boston, I said to Tom, "How lucky I am to be alive right now!"

 

In December of 2006, I was given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome with the dire prognosis of preparing to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and expecting an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. Talk about a wake-up call. My life came to a screeching halt when I was at the height of my award-winning career as a VA social worker. My life today (if in fact I would be alive today) would look very different had I chosen to take that diagnosis sitting down.

 

Next Monday, 5/25, marks 19 years since I left behind my award-winning career as a VA social worker. I am forever grateful to Tom for his unwavering support letting me know that it was a no-brainer to leave behind my career to heal my life. I smile as I reflect on that day in February of 2007 when I got still and asked for Divine Guidance knowing I was at a crossroads in my life. The answer to my prayer sure did surprise me! The poem, "Running the Race" flowed out of my soul followed by an anthology of poems inspiring me to heal from the once devastating effects of childhood paralytic polio and trauma.

 

I took that first step trusting in the Divine Guidance I was receiving through my poetry that fired up my imagination. At the time I wasn't aware of the extensive research that supports what happens when we harness the power of the mind/body connection through visualization. The body heals in miraculous ways. I had no idea what my future would look like. I had no way to anticipate that I would go on to become a 2009 Boston Marathon finisher and have many adventures as a most unlikely runner nor that I would author 7 books (and now working on book number 8), become a blogger and motivational speaker. I certainly had no idea that I would be sharing a powerful message of healing, hope and possibility to inspire others with what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary.

 

As I count down to the anniversary of when I took that leap of faith that set me on a trajectory of healing after years of neglecting my health mind, body and soul, the runs I share with Tom become especially meaningful and special. We went from two salaries, and my career offered full benefits, to one salary. Fortunately, we were able to get health insurance through Tom's job.  I had withdrawn my retirement account and taken the penalty but it quickly dwindled. Tom was steadfast and steady through the lean years until I swallowed my pride and applied for social security disability. Oh the irony of a social worker hesitant to apply for benefits. 

 

Each step and each mile brings joy, gratitude and appreciation savoring the change of seasons and Nature up close and personal. I remember the days when I needed a toe-up leg brace and cane or, if I needed to go any distance, used a wheelchair. I used a tub bench to shower and had special utensils for eating. I had to use a straw to drink liquids to not aspirate into my lungs and used a chin tuck so I wouldn't choke on food. I let my eyes linger on the beautiful blue/green hues in the water and the lush green on the trees surrounding us.

The dancing sparkles on the water tickled and delighted my soul. The sound of the waves gently lapping on the shore provided the soundtrack for our run. We completely unplug when we are out in Nature getting in our miles. Instead of a scene of Tom pushing me around the Reservoir in a wheelchair (if I would have still been alive) we shared joyful moments feeling incredibly vibrant and alive. And while tomorrow is never promised to anyone, given my diagnosis and prognosis in December of 2006, I know how lucky I am to be alive right now! Every day is a celebration of life.

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.
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." 

 

Mary will be the guest on an upcoming exclusive episode of the "Music Saved Me" podcast.

 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.

 

 

Twenty Years From Now...

 

Happy leap of faith-iversary to me. It's been almost 20 years since I took a leap of faith throwing off the bowlines and sailing away from the safe harbor of an award-winning career as a social worker at the VA. In December of 2006 I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, expecting an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged.                                         

       

I refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. In February of 2007, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance.  I wrote the poem, "Running the Race". You can read the full text and back story on my website. 

Why was I writing a poem about running the race when I was using a toe-up leg brace and a cane and, at times, a wheelchair for mobility? How could I possibly be seeing me winning a 10K race in my mind's eye? Poetry poured out of me as though a spigot were turned on in my soul. My imagination got fired up and stoked the fires of healing by harnessing the power of the mind/body  connection. I intuitively knew that I was at a crossroads in my life but, given the dire prognosis, what lay ahead on my journey? I discovered joy when I wrote poetry. I literally felt no pain when I went into an altered state, connecting with Source imagining a future where I ran free, felt whole and healed in mind, body and soul. My pen became my divining rod for healing, healing the once devastating effects of childhood paralytic polio followed by enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members.

Initially it took everything I had within me to not succumb to the diagnosis. Moving from a completely debilitated state, getting past the inertia of a sedentary lifestyle and adjusting to an early retirement was not for the faint of heart. I had also left behind a steady paycheck and benefits. I'd worked my entire life starting at the age of 14. But the Universe conspired with me to lead me on the path I was destined for.

Since taking that leap of faith I have:
Finished the 2009 Boston Marathon
Run 3 Bermuda Marathon Weekend Half Marathons and many 5 and 10K races
Wowed audiences as a motivational speaker sharing my message of healing, hope and possibilities including sharing the stage with Bill Rodgers at the 2020 Hyannis Marathon Weekend pre-race pasta dinner and being a panelist at the 2020 Boston Marathon Virtual Expo, "Late Life Running and Whole Life Running" speaking about my journey as a most unlikely runner
Published 7 books
~"Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club
~"A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection of Bill Rodgers "Billy's Bookshelf-Must Reads for Every Runner"
~Received a thank you note from President Biden for sending him a copy of "Hope is a Garden:Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic"

Been a guest on many podcasts and radio shows
Had my story featured in books, magazines and TV
Had setbacks and comebacks
Blogged about life as a most unlikely runner and my journey of transformation with its trials and triumphs
I've explored, dreamed and discovered friends and places I otherwise would not have known

Was it scary? Oh yes! Do I have any regrets? NO even when we faced financial challenges and setbacks, I am so grateful that I found the courage to leave behind my career just 3 years shy of being eligible for retirement to heal my life and follow my newfound bliss as a poet and author. Of course at the time I had no idea what miraculous experiences would become a part of my tapestry of life.

 

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 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. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews. 

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.

 

Running the Race

18 years ago I was getting ready to take a leap of faith leaving behind my award-winning career as a VA social worker. I had been diagnosed in December 2006 with Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I decided to follow my newfound bliss as a poet.

Had I studied poetry or literature? No. Did I know anything about "being a Poet or published author?" No. Did I know anything about starting a small and I do mean small business, "New World Greeting Cards: Original Poetry for Every Occasion?" NO But I knew I had to leave my career to heal my life although at the time I had no idea what that meant.

I discovered the healing power of writing poetry in February of 2007 after getting still and asking for Divine Guidance knowing I was at a crossroads in my life. Here is the full text of the first poem I wrote, "Running the Race":

Running the Race    

Early summer 1959 my kindergarten year
everyone around me filled with nervous fear.
Despite the Salk vaccine hope polio would disappear
the polio virus crept right up and knocked me in the rear.

Dancing all around the gym feeling free just like a bird
I dropped to the ground just like a stone and no one said a word.
The pain it was so searing-the diagnosis even worse
"It's polio" the doctor said...he was abrupt and terse.

Called one of the 'lucky ones' I had a 'mild case'
but with the other athletes I could never keep their pace.
Miss Holly physical therapist, curly hair and a warm, broad smile
it tempered the pain of being apart - to walk I'd take a while.

I always wore those 'special' shoes the kids they poked and teased                                                     
with no support and much abuse with childhood I wasn’t pleased.                                                       
But put nose to the grindstone and learned all that I could
I couldn't kick a ball but my grades were always good.

Years went by and no more thought to polio did I give
I accepted the limp, everything else and decided my life I would live.
But symptoms of weakness and muscle pain did grow
I kept a stoic face hoping no one else would know.

Life no longer was my own I struggled through each day
suffered in silence, alone and afraid tried to keep depression at bay.
And with the grace of glorious God my world it opened wide
I discovered there was a Post-Polio team and they were on my side.                                            

Sought out paths for healing and my spirit flew free
for the first time in life, I could truly be me.
The chains are gone and possibilities abound
I'm a tree with my roots planted firmly in ground.

Using wheelchair to travel, set limits on what I could do
resulted in joy to realize I could live life anew.
Celebrated my body-creaks, groans and need for a brace
while in my mind I focused on winning a 10K race.

I'm now off the sidelines, no need to sit and whine
so much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine.
After all these years I can join the loving human race
I exceed all expectations and now I set the pace.

Poetry started flowing out of me as though a spigot was turned on in my soul. 

The runner within me was born in my imagination. I had never run a day in my life. When I wrote "Running the Race" I was wearing a toe-up leg brace, a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility.

 When I wrote poetry, I literally felt no pain. I had to have a yellow legal pad with me at all times. The Universe and I were in call and response mode. I received an email about the Newburyport Literary Festival after I made the decision to take the leap. It was held the month before 5/25, the last day of my work at the VA.  I wore a power suit I bought for the occasion as my "social work" clothes would not serve me in this next chapter in my life. I bought tickets for Tom and me to attend the opening night gala with a welcome reception for authors. I had my manuscript for "New World Greetings: Poetry and Musings for a New World." As I waited in line at the bar, I felt moved to let Elvis Mitchell know how much I enjoyed his interview of Peter Guralnick. I told him my story and he casually said to me, "Oh you've channeled a book." I asked Peter Guralnick for advice on how to get published.

I imagined myself becoming a NY Times Bestselling Author and appearing on Oprah with my incredible journey of transformation just a few months after I started writing poetry. Imagination IS everything though and while I have yet to be a guest on Oprah, I have had the joy of speaking engagements and appearing on many radio shows, podcasts and have my story shared in books and magazines. 

While I imagined myself running free and being healthy, whole and healed, I did not imagine myself running THE 2009 Boston Marathon. I did not imagine that I would actually discover the sport of running and how it would change my life forever!  

 I have self-published 7 books. Whenever a reader writes a review or sends me a message about how my words have touched their heart, I feel as though I am a NY Times Bestselling Author. At 71 years old I am still off the sidelines celebrating 18 years of healing. I run my race at my pace feeling the joy, gift and blessing in every footstep. Running helped me to transform the trauma that once dominated the very essence of my being with silence and denial of how it affected me mind, body and soul. Running helped me shed the shackles of once being held captive by the effects of paralytic polio and childhood trauma. Long before I ever took that first step learning how to run at the age of 53, I saw in my mind's eye a woman healed and transformed, grateful and emerging from the shadows my past exceeding all expectations and joining the human race.

 

 

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.

My books are available on Bookshop that share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary. Be sure to visit my Author Page on Amazon   My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club .

 

 

Training with Purpose

 I had resigned myself to training for my health and wellness after I had an untoward reaction to the second COVID vaccine. Forever grateful for the miracle of healing in my life since the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I was content to be support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne as they ran their Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs. Ruth Anne was far from content to have me on the sidelines. While she loved running her own races at her own pace or with her dad at his pace, she told me she missed being out on the roads with me. Our last in person race together was the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon.

Once again, the Universe had other plans for me. Before I knew what happened, the airline and hotel were booked and I was registered for the Bermuda 10K Walk happening next January as part of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

Ever since I made the commitment to this next challenge with a distance I have not trained for since 2018 that incorporates a series of hills akin to Heartbreak Hill, I have been feeling joy deep within me with every training run and strength training workout. This goal has ignited a fire within me. I am keenly focusing my meditations on the mind/body connection, I have the course map on our refrigerator and as my Facebook cover photo. Success is the only option.

 

I have a training plan carefully crafted that incorporates fartleks, tempo runs, hills and building distance at a pace that I know my body will be able to adapt to.  I discovered  that initially I was pushing too hard and too fast. I need to constantly monitor those Type A personality traits. 

We had a phenomenal training run at Jamaica Pond on Saturday. Ruth Anne is training for the BAA 10K happening on June 25th. She warmed up and cooled down with Tom and me while doing her 4 miles at her pace. It was a wonderful tempo run with negative splits for all of us. I even tried to pass another power walker out on the path. I almost caught him but I realized I did not want to push that hard this early in my training.

We always make sure to take time to enjoy Nature's beauty:

Rain was in the forecast for after 1pm and we thought we'd be done by then but the front quickly moved in with wind and rain. Fortunately we brought light jackets with us. Tom joked with me saying, "I sure am glad I decided to bring these jackets with us," when it was my idea to 'be prepared." We chatted about how many clothes we are going to need to pack for Bermuda since one never knows what the weather will be in January. One thing we do know for sure, as former Bermuda Marathon Weekend Race Director told us in 2015 after asking what the weather would be in January, "I can guarantee you there will be no snow in Bermuda in January!" There was hail when we were there in 2020 but the front moved out in time for the Bermuda 10K.

I love the rekindled sense of adventure as we train for Bermuda.

 

Beginning in June, I will start to slowly increase mileage. I am going to cap my distance at 5.5 miles although I know 'they' often recommend capping mileage at 7 miles. I can sense what my body needs to be able to have a successful race day giving myself plenty of time to adapt to adding on miles, working on speed and training on hills. I've run many 10K's, several half marathons and of course the Boston Marathon. I am remembering how I felt with 10K PR's and how amazing I felt running 3 Half Marathons in Bermuda. I went on to finish a very challenging 2017 Half with the help of Tom and an earth angel at mile 12. I know what this body is capable of and setting this new goal helps to create possibilities again taking my healing journey to the next level.

Every strength training workout and every training run is infused with feeling that they take me one step closer to the starting line in Bermuda while also savoring every moment of this incredible journey.

On Thursday, 5/25, I celebrate 16 years of healing after taking a leap of faith leaving behind my award winning career as a VA social worker to heal my life. What a blessing that I've been able to wow audiences with my powerful message of healing, hope and unimaginable possibilities.

Mike Reilly recently featured my story on his Stories From the Finish Line.

Episode 56 on the On the Runs podcast takes you on my journey from contracting childhood paralytic polio and enduring years of abuse at the hands of family members, to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and my many adventures as runnergirl 1953. How amazing to give the Pod the exclusive scoop of my next running adventure in Bermuda.

Be sure to check out my website to be inspired by what's possible beyond all appearances to the contrary. My News and Events page is filled with inspirational interviews and features in news and books.

Be sure to check out my books on Amazon, especially my Trilogy of Transformation that makes for great summer reading!

When I reflect on where I was a year ago, to how I feel today, it is exhilarating to be training with purpose again!

From my heart to yours,

In health and wellness,
Mary

My Master Electrician

 

I am going through my previous books to create a new book called "Running the Race: Inspirational Poetry From the Heart of a Warrior". It's an incredibly wonderful creative endeavor as I reflect on my healing journey and will be able to inspire others juxtaposing poetry with prose. 

 

In February of 2007, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and to expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. It was a cold, dark February evening and I was home alone grappling with the dark night of mind, body and soul.

A poem, 'Running the Race' flowed out of me. My pen became my Divining rod for healing as a spigot was turned on in my soul. Poetry poured out of me healing the past through poems about forgiveness and gratitude for all of my experiences finding the gifts and treasures inside the challenges. I created a future very different than the one being predicted for me by Western Medicine.

 

While rereading "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life," I came across the poem, "Release". How amazing that before I had full awareness of what I was creating through my poetry, I was harnessing the power of the mind/body connection to heal the once devastating effects of childhood polio and trauma. I imagined God/Divine Intelligence/Source as my Master Electrician.

 

 

Over a decade later, in 2018, Dr. David Hamilton included my story in his Tenth Edition of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body with the title, "Mary's Story: My Master Electrician."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I first set out on my journey to heal my life, taking a leap of faith leaving behind my 20 year career as an award winning social worker at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Boston, I knew about the work of Bernie Siegel, MD.  His books and words of encouragement through the years, gave me hope that I could heal. He supported me through my 2009 Boston Marathon run and I believed I was off and running (pun intended) on my journey of transformation.

In December of 2014, I was stopped in my path by a very serious knee injury. I briefly returned to Western Medicine to see what needed to be healed. I found my way to a chiropractor who introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza. His book, "You Are the Placebo" turbocharged my healing journey. In 2017, the Heal Documentary was released which is how I came to know the work of Dr. David and many other mind/body luminaries.

David shined the spotlight on the science behind what I was doing and had done through poetry and visualizing meditations!

There are so many studies confirming how the brain cannot tell the difference between real and imaginary. As I imagined being out of my leg brace, running and feeling free in my body; as I felt the Master Electrician healing the effects of trauma and polio, my body responded with new neuromuscular connections, growing a new gastroc muscle and being able to go beyond previous physical limitations caused by polio and trauma! I was blessed to initially partner with a physical therapist at Spaulding Rehab who believed in the body's tremendous capacity to heal and then a personal trainer who believed in infinite possibilities despite all appearances to the contrary. Here's a link to David's blog from March, 2018 explaining the science behind why visualization works.

When I told my personal trainer that I wanted to run the 2009 Boston Marathon in February of 2008, she told me that I was going to need a pair of running shoes!

 

Whenever my body is experiencing aches and pains, twinges or muscle spasms, I return to meditations visualizing My Master Electrician doing needed repairs from wear and tear through the years all the while expressing gratitude for the miracle of healing I've been blessed to experience. I use guided meditations from Bernie, Dr. David or whatever Spirit prompts me to focus on during a silent meditation.

I am deeply inspired by looking back at my journey through poetry and prose, knowing that it is going to bless the lives of so many who are looking for a spark to ignite the torch of healing on their path.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

 Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon