Mary McManus grew up in New York in the 1950's. In 1958 at the age of five, she contracted paralytic polio in one of the last polio epidemics. Through her steadfast faith and courage and the help of a dedicated physiatrist and loving physical therapist, she was able to walk again.

     Although she would never compete in athletics, Mary excelled academically. She was the valedictorian for her high school class and went on to receive a Bachelor in Science degree in public relations from Boston University. She worked as intake coordinator and public relations manager for the Boston University Counseling Center. The director of the counseling center saw her gift for compassion and healing and suggested she pursue a career in social work. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston College and was elected to Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society.

     Mary worked for over 25 years as a dedicated social worker helping her patients to heal their lives. She was named Social Worker of the Year of the Boston VA Healthcare System, Employee of the Month for the Boston VA Healthcare System, received the Blinded Veterans Association Certificate of Appreciation Award and was nominated for a nationwide award as social worker of the year for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    In December, 2006, Mary was diagnosed with post polio syndrome. Out of severe physical pain and limitations, the gift of poetry grew within her and within five months, she had written "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World."  She also created her own company, New World Greeting Cards, customized poetry for all occasions. Mary brings healing to others through her gift of poetry and joy to her clients at New World Greeting Cards.

     Mary has received accolades for the reading of her original poem, "A Celebration of Life" at the memorial service of the former Dean of Students at Boston University. She composed the poem, "Thanksgiving 2007" which she read at the Brookline Senior Center's "Breaking Bread Together" event.  She composed a poem for the Alzheimer's Association to honor alzheimers patients and their caregivers which was published in the Town of Brookline's Senior Center Newsletter.   She has done poetry readings in the greater Boston area. Her audiences express enthusiasm and inspiration after hearing her original poems.

     When not writing poetry, doing poetry readings, creating customized cards for her clients of New World Greeting Cards and having media appearances, Mary is working out and training to run the Boston Marathon 2009, listens to music, meditates, attends yoga class and loves to travel. She is editing her 2nd poetry book, "Set Sail for a New World."  She is a member of the Brookline Commission for the Arts and the New England Poetry Club.  She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with her loving husband, a systems engineer at Childrens Hospital. She is the proud mother of twins. Her daughter attends Bunker Hill Community College and is a communications major. Her son is a volunteer with Common Ground Collective helping to rebuild New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.