Mary McManus, poet, fund raiser, former award winning social worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009 Boston Marathon Finisher, inspirational speaker, an "Exceptional Woman", and a finalist for Brookline Woman of the Year 2010 discovered a whole new world was waiting to unfold before her after the life altering diagnosis of post polio syndrome in December 2006.

In the cold dark winter of February 2007 as Mary was just beginning to emerge from the dark night of her soul, she felt the creative spark of writing poetry ignite in her soul. She wrote the poem, "Running the Race". As she sat in a leg brace, using a wheelchair at times for mobility and contemplating her future, she felt the stirrings of self love for the first time in her life.

Mary took a leap of faith leaving her 25 year career as a social worker to follow her bliss as a poet and heal her life. Heal her life indeed! She went on to run the 2009 Boston Marathon and raise over $10,000 for Spaulding Rehab Hospital where she took the first steps on her healing journey. She is the author of two books of inspirational poetry: "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World" and "Set Sail for a New World:Healing a Life Through the Gift of Poetry." She donates 20% of book proceeds to Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation, a non-profit, grassroots program of achievement, advocacy and opportunity for the mobility impaired in Massachusetts. The mission of the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Program is to provide through a chosen representative an opportunity for women of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to successfully educate and advocate for individuals with disabilities and influence social change for all Massachusetts residents. She inspires others with her journey as a guest on radio shows, as an inspirational speaker and is delighted to share her journey and gift of poetry with you! Thanks for stopping by. We know you'll enjoy your visit.