When Dagmar Munn was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 59 in 2010, she tapped into her nearly 30 years of professional health and wellness experience. She not only follows her own advice but also inspires and teaches others to do the same. In addition to her columnist role, she is one of the moderators for the ALS News Today Forums and writes a personal blog called “ALS and Wellness.” She lives with her husband in Green Valley, Arizona, enjoying finding humor in life’s situations and spending free time pursuing creative projects in fiber arts.Navigating life with ALS is a journey, and for many of us, it comes with an extra passenger: health anxiety. Before my diagnosis, I thought my good health would continue forever. But…
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This summer, I’ve been superfocused on a special fix-up project — namely, my posture. Why? Because earlier this year, whether I was sitting, standing, or walking, I noticed a slow slump forward of my…
Having ALS is certainly no laughing matter. But I’ve found over the years that it can give rise to many humorous moments. On some days, in fact, finding the funny while in a frustrating…
“I still can’t understand you. Say it one more time.” My husband and I were having a simple conversation, and I was trying to emphasize my point of view, but my mouth and tongue…
I used to take for granted my ability to sync up with the people and events in my life — to keep up with conversations, move in unison with my fellow dancers, and show…
Living with ALS presents many challenges. For me, navigating life with a rollator, thickened beverages, and daily medication often feels like an uphill battle. There are days I wish I could go back…
Toilets aren’t one of the topics that come up in most conversations, but for those of us living with ALS, it’s fairly common and not at all embarrassing. We’ll often chat about the…
For the first few years after I was diagnosed with ALS, I followed a daily routine of walking laps in the shallow end of our neighborhood outdoor pool. I soon became friends with…
One of the interesting mental challenges I continue to experience as I live with ALS is its effect on my perception of time. The predicted prognosis of living only two to five years after…
When my doctor told me that I had ALS, my reaction was like that of most newly diagnosed ALS patients. I felt a jumble of emotions and desperately wanted to let my friends…
Fire the flare guns, turn on the ship-to-shore radio, and holler “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” That’s the first order of business for a ship that’s sinking. It needs attention — lots of attention. There’s even…
The other day when I sat down at my computer, I discovered a small, beige envelope that had been left near my workspace. To my surprise, inside was a letter addressed to me from…
