Celebrating Ten Years of Running: Never Tell Me The Odds

My journey of transformation from Christmas 2007 to the 2009 Boston Marathon and the 2016 Bermmuda Half Marathon:




From the soon to be released "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":

C-3PO is rattling off the odds while he stands over Han Solo’s shoulder in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. C-3PO has calculated the unlikely and grim odds of Han being able to avoid hitting an asteroid. Han Solo quips back, “Never tell me the odds.”

The odds of becoming high school valedictorian after contracting paralytic polio and fighting for my life every night were quite slim. The odds of being selected for Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society at Boston College were quite slim. It took me 4 years to complete my Masters degree in Social Work. I nearly lost the use of my right arm due to a misdiagnosed staph infection and had a 6 week hospitalization.

I was told I shouldn't run again after a serious knee injury in December of 2014. What were the odds I would go on to run 3 consecutive Bermuda Half Marathons? It takes dedication, hard work, perseverance, fierce determination, strength and courage to beat the odds. At times, it was a messy and uncertain journey that required trusting The Force with all of my heart and soul.

The deck was stacked against me. Without warning, on June 3, 1959, I dropped to the ground in Kindergarten class. Thus began the life long challenges I would need to overcome. Three years after contracting paralytic polio, shortly after coming out of my leg brace, my father became alcoholic. Nine years of emotional, physical and sexual assaults followed until he died by suicide when I was 17 years old. In December of 2006 I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

In many ways, my life has been like an adventure movie. I battled evil, and fought for my life. Every time somebody told me I shouldn't or couldn't do something, I turned around and said, "Watch me now."

Never tell me the odds!

“Out of our deepest wounds we find our greatest strength, our most beautiful treasures and the knowledge that love is far greater, and more powerful than any experience we endure.” ~Mary McManus

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

My healing journey using the power of visualization is featured in David R. Hamilton's book, "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body-Anniversary Edition." It's available on Amazon.


Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):


***Coming Soon - The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953***
The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953 takes you on Mary McManus’ healing odyssey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006, Mary got still and asked for Divine Guidance. She harnessed the power of her mind to heal her body, feverishly writing poetry in which she imagined herself healthy, whole and free from the shackles of her youth. Mary’s quest to heal her life led her to the sport of running that tested her mettle while fueling her journey of transformation from a survivor of childhood paralytic polio and severe trauma at the hands of family members to a woman who embodies faith, grace under fire, courage, determination, endurance and resilience. Running became a way of life for Mary. As you’ll discover in “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” nothing, not even a serious knee injury in December of 2014 could stop her on the roads or in her life. Mary’s story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog and discovering the meaning of different ability as Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her.

Celebrating Ten Years of Running: I'm Now Off the Sidelines

In February of 2007 I faced a grim and uncertain future. I'd been given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine Standards. I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. What's a social worker to do after being told I had to quit my job just 3 years shy of retirement age and prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair? The answer came through my pen; what I have come to call my Diving Rod for healing as poetry poured forth from my soul inspiring mind, body and soul to heal.

The first poem I wrote was "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 awhile.

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 and 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, isolated from friends-
trying 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.

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.
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.
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.

I call your attention to the last two couplets:
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.

"Can't we just take a selfie and call it a day?" I said to Tom as we pulled up to Carson Beach at 10am today before our scheduled run.

He laughed.

It was hot. We were both still feeling drained from the "hard" of the last few days and weeks and I'd have to add the cumulative effects of the past 4 years bearing witness and care giving to our daughter who struggles with her mental health. We used the first part of the run to cast our worries, cares and feelings upon the expansiveness of the ocean. We allowed our foot strikes to carry us forward and to help us transform from feeling weighed down by circumstances and feelings to open hearts, gratitude and being able to appreciate the beauty of our lives and of the world around us.

We poured sweat and had to take a lot of water breaks. I was so happy to see my pace drop back to where it's been the past few weeks instead of at the pace it was on Saturday!



After our 3.11 mile run I got under the outdoor shower at Carson Beach. We sat on the beach and marveled at how running transforms us. We also took pause to reflect on the miracle of my healing journey.

Through the power of running I've healed my life from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma and continue to use running for health, well being and to move beyond myself and feelings of limitation or lack.

I celebrate ten years of running...I can unequivocally say that I'm now off the sidelines. There is no time to sit and whine...so much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine. With every run, my foot strikes carry me forward away from negativity and toxic emotions to a place of happiness, gratitude, peace, love and acceptance.

From my heart to yours,
To your health and wellness,
Mary

My healing journey is going to be featured in David R. Hamilton's soon to be released book, "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body." It's available for pre-order on Amazon.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Flashback Friday: A Return to the Boston College Campus for a "Last Lecture"

I had a moment in time in August of 2014 when I returned to the Boston College Campus for the Bill Rodgers 5K Run/Walk to Benefit Prostate Cancer.

Last night I returned to the Boston College Campus again ....

Tom forwarded the email to me from Alpha Sigma Nu and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality:
Dear BC Community:
If granted the opportunity to give a last lecture, what would you say? What wisdom would you impart to the world if you knew this was your last chance? What would you want as your legacy?

The Last Lecture series invites faculty who, in different moments of their career, dare to reflect about their lives and respond to these questions.

This year, Professor Clare O'Connor of the Biology Department will present Genes, Love and Serendipity: A Biologist Reflects, where she will examine forces that direct the course of our lives.

"All of us inherited a 'blueprint' in our DNA, but DNA is only part of the story. The broader story of a career is a complex story that includes community, faith and serendipity."

We invite you to join Professor Clare O'Connor, Biology Department on Thursday, April 26, 5:30 - 6:30 PM in Gasson Hall 305 (The Debate Room).


I couldn't RSVP because I wasn't the original recipient of the email. Tom emailed the organizers mentioning that I am a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. I received the honor during my final year in the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. One of the organizers, Adeline, said she would be delighted to have me attend.

Professor O'Connor wove together her professional and personal paths showing us the beautiful tapestry of her life guided by serendipity, love and choices she made.

It gave me pause to reflect on the serendipity and choices Tom and I have made that brought us to this moment in time.

Tom and I met on a blind date. One of my good friends, Mary Fitzpatrick and one of Tom's good friends, Marty said that we had to meet. This was before cell phones and Facebook. We took a chance and let serendipity lead the way. Here we are 41 years later, having just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a career. I received my undergraduate degree in PR and Communications from Boston University. I worked at the BU Counseling Center as an Intake Coordinator and PR person. The director told me that I had a gift for interacting with the students and suggested that I pursue a career in counseling. I needed a fast track for a graduate degree and applied to Social Work schools. I opted for Boston College. One of my professors nominated me for induction into Alpha Sigma Nu for Scholarship, Loyalty and Service. What an honor!

It was quite remarkable to connect with the administrators for Alpha Sigma Nu on the BC campus last night and to feel the energy of academia remembering the wonderful education I received. One of the administrators, Adeline is going to add me to the email list for future events. Professor O'Connor emphasized the importance of community in our lives. While enjoying a post-lecture dinner at Oath Pizza, we reflected on how blessed we are to be a part of so many wonderful communities and connected to people who believe in doing good in the world.

After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, I took a leap of faith leaving my award winning 20 year career as a VA social worker to heal my life. I returned to my roots as a writer and followed my bliss in my new found gift as an inspirational poet.



Tom had many jobs in technology through the years and we both imagined the ideal next job for Tom that aligned with his values. Three years ago he was hired as a Systems Administrator at Boston College. It's 10 minutes from our home and he works with a wonderful team. A few minutes into the lecture, Tom mentioned to me that his boss, Mike, the Executive Vice President for IT walked in. Professor O'Connor brought together technology and science on the BC campus! I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tom's boss and felt the circle of life surrounding us. Professor O'Connor beamed with pride when she shared with us that Mike gave her a jacket similar to the one Tom was wearing that had the insignia of the BC IT Department on it.

Life can be quite magical and elegant in the way the tapestry of our lives are woven. The Universe presents opportunities and we make choices and then, we connect the dots as we look back to see what we have co-created with the Divine.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Proud to be a part of Friends of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays, Inc.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

On Struggles, Taking a Leap of Faith and Triumph!

The other day I received a call from the Social Work Executive at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center. They are having a celebration of 90 years of social work at the VA. At the staff meeting on 2/29, they are going to honor those social workers who retired from the Boston VA Health Care system in recent years to honor their contribution to the mission and vision of social work at the VA.

On 5/25/2007, almost 9 years ago now, I walked away from my almost 20 year career as a VA social worker. In December of 2006 I was diagnosed with post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and told that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. After intensive outpatient treatment at Spaulding Rehab with a physical therapist who would not treat me as a polio survivor but rather believed in the body's capacity to heal, writing poetry, meditating, visualizing, making dietary changes and finding the strength within me to take a leap of faith and leave my career



I began to feel better than when I walked into Spaulding in October of 2006.

I remember the day I gave my notice to my nurse manager at the VA. At first she was happy for me but within 24 hours she told me that I couldn't leave; that my plan to write poetry and heal my life made no sense whatsoever. In fact it did not make any sense if you look at the stark reality of what I was doing but I had a vision and was living in my imagination of what my future could hold for me despite all appearances: physical, emotional and financial. She wanted me to consider my options - work part time; give myself more time to make my decision but she could see that my mind was made up and in 6 weeks time I would separate from my job at the VA.

Wearing a leg brace and no longer needing a wheelchair I walked out of the Jamaica Plain Campus of the VA Healthcare System. (I write at length about this leg of my journey in my memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility"available on Amazon)

I experienced triumph when I crossed the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon:



And since then it was a journey of more struggle than triumph.

Little did I know how much was going to manifest into reality from all those poems in which I visualized my healing.

The struggle was real and hard. Every day I feel greater ease.

And I have to tell you...when I return to the VA on Monday 2/29, I am going to experience the glorious triumph of my healing and to celebrate the work I did while I was at the VA serving those who served. And as my shero and fellow polio survivor Wilma Rudolph so eloquently stated, "The triumph can't be had without the struggle."