ABOUT MARY
My Bio
~
I am a "late-blooming" writer from Texas who specializes in poetry. I also have a life-long background in music, the performing arts, and enjoyed 14 years as a special events planner in the private club industry. I am a 1990 graduate from The University of North Texas who started off as a music major (voice), but I wasn't "feeling" it. So, I changed directions and happily ended up graduating with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management. I was healthy, eventually married, became a stepmother of two and had a fun, successful career in the food and beverage industry until 2001. Life, as I knew it, changed dramatically when I was diagnosed with MS. I attempted to work a few years after diagnosis, but nothing connected quite right anymore. You see, this disease affects everyone completely different. I went through numb/tingly issues, my mobility was intact, but I was, and continue to be an "invisible symptom" case. My MS really enjoys messing with my brain. Anxiety, memory, mood changes, heat and fatigue are debilitating, a battle especially when stressed.
A few "in denial" years went by...I dealt with this vile invasion of my "internal room-mate". My husband couldn't handle these changes - he hated every part of it (I don't really blame him for that). But, he avoided being around when I was down - he didn't sign on for this, couldn't understand any of it, and I sure didn't look sick (invisible symptoms). So, eventually divorce and other challenges came into play. Those were rough days. Looking back now, I know I was suffering from a nervous breakdown. Not yet had I thought to seek the help of a professional therapist to help me purge the noisy voices and conversations from inside my head, so I began to write. I wrote little songs and played piano again - I taught myself a little acoustic guitar - and it felt good - soothing. I had found a new form of therapy which enabled me to breathe again; a healing that didn't require a prescription. Re-invention of self seemed plausible via these creative outlets. Music, reading, and writing - primarily poetry - filled me with passion and endless possibilities. In fact, I've since begun to view my MS as a gift. A gift which forced me to focus on the important things in life, to find my sense of humor, to ignite my passion and live.
I am a "late-blooming" writer from Texas who specializes in poetry. I also have a life-long background in music, the performing arts, and enjoyed 14 years as a special events planner in the private club industry. I am a 1990 graduate from The University of North Texas who started off as a music major (voice), but I wasn't "feeling" it. So, I changed directions and happily ended up graduating with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management. I was healthy, eventually married, became a stepmother of two and had a fun, successful career in the food and beverage industry until 2001. Life, as I knew it, changed dramatically when I was diagnosed with MS. I attempted to work a few years after diagnosis, but nothing connected quite right anymore. You see, this disease affects everyone completely different. I went through numb/tingly issues, my mobility was intact, but I was, and continue to be an "invisible symptom" case. My MS really enjoys messing with my brain. Anxiety, memory, mood changes, heat and fatigue are debilitating, a battle especially when stressed.
A few "in denial" years went by...I dealt with this vile invasion of my "internal room-mate". My husband couldn't handle these changes - he hated every part of it (I don't really blame him for that). But, he avoided being around when I was down - he didn't sign on for this, couldn't understand any of it, and I sure didn't look sick (invisible symptoms). So, eventually divorce and other challenges came into play. Those were rough days. Looking back now, I know I was suffering from a nervous breakdown. Not yet had I thought to seek the help of a professional therapist to help me purge the noisy voices and conversations from inside my head, so I began to write. I wrote little songs and played piano again - I taught myself a little acoustic guitar - and it felt good - soothing. I had found a new form of therapy which enabled me to breathe again; a healing that didn't require a prescription. Re-invention of self seemed plausible via these creative outlets. Music, reading, and writing - primarily poetry - filled me with passion and endless possibilities. In fact, I've since begun to view my MS as a gift. A gift which forced me to focus on the important things in life, to find my sense of humor, to ignite my passion and live.
Acknowledgments and Press ~
·
Two of my poems were accepted in the UK for two books of poetry
compilations, The Summer of Sport: Forward Poetry 2012 and Poetry
Rivals Collection 2013.
·
I was interviewed and published in an article about
art/creativity therapy and MS by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's
Momentum Magazine (2013),
·
My disability-themed poetry has been published on blogs and
websites, including www.pajamadaze.com and www.disabled-world.com.
Upcoming
~
Currently, I'm collaborating with a few wonderful friends on a new site for people with MS to connect, chat, & gain knowledge. Weekly live chats are now being planned to focus on hour long discussions of important topics & will sometimes include guest "speakers". The twitter account for it is up & running (see @MSpals), but we're still working on our web/blog site.
Always, when energy allows, I am working on new poetry, essays and prose, including an ongoing collection of "disability poetry" I'm also in research mode, planning a non-fiction project inspired by my grandparents (no elaboration yet - still keeping this one to myself). Collaborating with other writers who have MS or chronic illness has been lovely and inspiring - keeps my brain busy by interacting with others - learning, sharing stories, and allowing me to be ME. And, in the near future I hope to play a role in bringing more "Creative Therapy" programs (art, music, writing, etc.) to life in schools, medical settings, etc. For now, I'll be a staunch advocate for this powerful form of therapy for those dealing with illness and difficult, disrupted lives.
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