Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner

Mary McManus

Despite vaccination, at the age of five, Mary McManus was diagnosed with Polio and was paralized from the neck down. Over time, Mary was able to regain movement, succeed in school, and pull herself above an abusive home life, only to be struck down again many years later with post-polio syndrome. 

“I’ve got to choose,” says Mary. “Am I going to be in pain on the side of just withering away for the rest of my life? Or am I going to feel pain on the side of healing? I chose to feel pain on the side of healing.”

Facing the impossible, Mary set a lofty goal. She wanted to run the Boston Marathon. And, through passion and determination, she succeeded.

Mary has written five books, including her most recent book of poems, Hope is a Garden. You can learn more at marymcmanus.com. #liveyourbestlife