“Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you.” - Denis Waitley. Mary’s strong determination helped her face Post-Polio Syndrome, overcome odds and eventually run the Boston Marathon at the age of fifty-five. As a survivor of childhood paralytic polio, she did not admit defeat when diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome as an adult. Mary focused on healing her mind and body, sought divine guidance, trained hard as a runner, overcame injuries and ultimately finished the grueling marathon race. Mary has chronicled her life experience in the book “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953”.

What were your challenges when preparing for the Boston Marathon?M: While training for the Boston Marathon, I faced physical and psychological challenges. I’d never run a day in my life and I was a stranger to athletics. I carried deep wounds of having been taunted and teased by my peers while growing up. The cries of “Easy Out Alper” (that was my maiden name) haunted me. The only exercise I had done was physical therapy after orthopedic surgeries. I had to connect with my body which wasn’t easy given that I was, in addition to being a survivor of paralytic polio, a survivor of severe child abuse. The running community embraced me and were so inspired by what I set out to do but internally I had a lot of demons to battle. Physically, I had to exceed what I had previously thought were my limits. Yet every training run conquered, every hill I ran, every foot strike forward took me above and beyond every challenge I faced.

What message should readers take from your book “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953”?M: There is something deep within each and every one of us that can take us beyond our wildest imaginings. When we are open to something greater than ourselves yet something we each possess inside - our Spirit - we can achieve whatever we set our minds to. Self-acceptance and self-love, being with people who believe in you and believing in yourself are key elements of success. Never ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something and never ever let anyone tell you that you are less than because of a disability.

What inspired you to write the poem "Running the Race"?M: In December of 2006, I was given the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and told it was a progressive neuromuscular disease. I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I was despondent at first and then I felt anger that my body betrayed me a second time…and then I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. I immersed myself in the work of mind/body teachers. In February of 2007, I sat at my dining room table and had all these printouts spread out before me. One of them talked about gratitude and giving thanks in advance of something happening in your life. There were prompts such as “I am so happy and grateful now that I can create.” It literally jumped off the page at me and I thought, “Create??? Create what???” I was past my childbearing years and I was told I needed to quit my award winning social work career at the VA if there were any hope of stabilizing the symptoms where they were although even with quitting my job it was likely I would experience rapid neuromuscular decline as I aged. And then I felt a stirring in my soul and the poem “Running the Race’ flowed out of me!

What challenges did you face during your school days outside of sports? How did you motivate yourself to face those challenges?M: I was taunted and teased for looking different even after I came out of my leg brace. It seemed as though I had a target painted on me for kids to bully me. I felt as though I was never good enough in my physical body. My father was alcoholic and neighbors ostracized us. I had very few friends and the one friend I was somewhat close to did not treat me kindly. I was, however, blessed with wonderful teachers who helped me to hone my intellectual prowess. I felt God’s presence with me and I had a fiery determination to not be destroyed by my family or my peers. I loved reading and studying and succeeding academically and received a lot of recognition from adults for my accomplishments. I was unstoppable when it came to achieving academically. Success bred success and being High School Valedictorian, receiving scholarships and then being inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society at Boston College when I completed my Masters Degree kept me on a path of success in my social work career.

Can you tell us about your other hobbies?M: I love to write and have a blog www.adventuresrunnergirl.blogspot.com as well as 2 other memoirs that make up a trilogy of memoirs about my healing quest and running adventures. I love to write poetry especially customized poetry for friends’ special occasions. I love to travel and cook. I enjoy swimming and strength training on days I don’t run. I fund raise for causes that are near and dear to my heart. I love sharing my journey with others as an inspirational speaker.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?M: My favorite place to visit is Bermuda. It’s only an hour and a half plane ride from where I live in Boston. The people are incredibly friendly, the scenery breathtaking and it’s a great place to unwind for a vacation. Closer to home, I love to visit Falmouth on Cape Cod. They have beautiful beaches, great running routes, and great restaurants and shopping.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?M: Send a message powerful and strong that a disability only means a different ability. Make sure that they have opportunities to succeed within both the differently abled community and an inclusive community. I had a camp counselor who invited me to compete in the end of year Olympics at my summer camp in the butterfly competition. I thought he was crazy because I couldn’t keep up with the other kids especially in the butterfly but he explained to me that there were only two other campers willing to compete in the butterfly. I would finish in 3rd place and be guaranteed a place on the podium. He took time to train me in individual sessions and made sure that I could take as much time as I needed to finish my race. That experience planted the seeds for me to become a champion in my own life and to go on to overcome Post-Polio Syndrome and become an athlete!

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to be physically active?M: There are so many wonderful adaptive sports programs these days that can help people with different abilities get moving and stay moving. Physical therapists and occupational therapists are trained in helping people to achieve their potential but it’s vital that you find therapists who will help you set goals and not limits. I’d suggest you read Dave McGillivray’s book, “Dream Big” for children and “The Last Pick” for adults, as well as look to Wilma Rudolph (polio survivor who became an Olympian), 10 time push rim wheelchair Boston Marathon champion Ernst Van Dyk and Christopher Koch, an athlete born without arms or legs to inspire them. John Young is an athlete with dwarfism who has completed an Ironman and many marathons. You also don’t have to do great things in order to be and feel great. Being physically active is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Being your best in mind, body and Spirit is what is vital to living a full, vibrant life. I highly recommend you watch Dave McGillivray’s TEDTalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWyvf8rboEo

Any special message for our community?M: It is a privilege and an honor to share my story with you. My sincerest hope is that you will love yourselves just as you are (to quote Mr. Rogers) and discover your purpose and your passion, your unique gifts and talents and know that while there may be many who will try to be dismissive and knock you down, there is a whole world of wonderful people who will embrace you, support you and cheer you on to your goals and dreams. If you’d like to reach out to me, my email is maryamcmanus@gmail.com. You can learn more about my journey and healing resources on my website at www.marymcmanus.com and I would love for you to follow my blog for inspiration and motivation and an honest look at what I experience as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma.