The Circle

A friend once told Mary Collins to turn her disability into ability. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Mary triumphed over disorder and attended college, where she earned both a BA and a master’s degree. Along the way, she developed a love for the written word; soon poetry became a primary focus of hers, along with painting. The Circle presents a twenty-five year journey through good days and bad. Mary has always struggled to live independently, and her poetry aided in the difficult goal of living without assistance. Her collection portrays pains and victories and shares a tribute to her mother and father, who gave her love and support. Mary writes to people with disabilities but also to people without. Her verse navigates the world of disability, communicates that people facing challenges are not alone, and encourages them to keep going. She hopes to inspire people with disabilities today to reach their full potential, even when they might not recognize it.