Class of: 1976

Mary McManus

Mary McManus (COM’76) of Chestnut Hill, Mass., contracted paralytic polio in 1959 during one of the nation’s last outbreaks and, at the age of 53, was diagnosed with postpolio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. At the height of her award-winning career as a veterans affairs social worker, she was told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Mary immersed herself in a regimen of physical therapy and left her career just three years shy of being eligible for retirement. She went on to run the Boston Marathon three years after her diagnosis—and raised $10,535 as part of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Race for Rehab team (right). Mary is a motivational speaker, blogger, poet, and author of six books, including a memoir, The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953 (Mary McManus MSW, 2019). “Hearing the powerful healing story of another,” she writes, “gives one hope and ignites a spark of what’s possible, despite all appearances to the contrary.” Visit www.marymcmanus.com.

From the Fall 2023 issue.