The Art of Healing

In December 2006,
life as I had come to know it came to a screeching halt. I was
diagnosed with post polio syndrome at Spaulding Rehab’s International Rehab Center for Polio and told I needed to leave my full
time job as a social worker, go back into a leg brace, use a
cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility and was told that post
polio syndrome can be a progressive disease. In February 2007, the
gift of poetry blossomed within me and helped to inspire my body to
heal. It opened up a whole new world for me.

Here is the first poem I
wrote:

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.

In May 2007, I quit my job, created my own customized poetry
company and published a book of inspirational poetry and….On April 20, 2009, I, along with my husband and daughter are
running the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab.

Mary McManus
www.newworldgreetings.com