Living Well with ALS - a column by Dagmar Munn

Just as no two ALS journeys are alike, there is no one-size-fits-all method for dealing with the emotional stress of living with this disease. During this past year of columns, I’ve shared many of the tips and strategies that I use to maintain a positive mindset…

I know I have no control over how quickly or slowly my ALS progresses, but I can try to hold off the negative effects that come from long periods of sitting and shallow breathing. Because most people with ALS experience breathing difficulties somewhere along the course of their…

There’s no doubt about it — living with ALS has sure slowed me down! And if you have ALS, you probably feel your life slowing down as well. It’s good to know that you’re not alone. Moving, eating, and talking more slowly, and feeling fatigued are common…

The other day, I watched a celebrity interview on TV. The soft-spoken man had short, neat hair and wore a blue button-down shirt. He looked like a banker or an accountant. But he was the bass guitarist in a rock-and-roll band! Boy, looks can be deceiving! It’s the same…

Are you ready? Then let’s GO! We can climb a mountain, walk a mile, drink a beer, or just shop online — all to raise money for ALS. In the U.S., the month of May traditionally has been designated as ALS Awareness Month. In the U.K., where…

In last week’s column, I shared how the simple strategy of showing up helps me live with ALS. This week, I have a suggestion for something that should be at the top of your list of things to show up for: your ALS support group. ALS support groups…

I experienced quite a few emotional dips during my first year of living with ALS. Dips in the way of full-on mental funks, feeling a loss of purpose, being disconnected from others, and worrying about the future. To help me climb out of those dark dips and…

This time around, I really, really tried not to let it happen. But it did. I washed my hands. I avoided all contact with suspicious “others,” and even hauled around a good-sized tub of disinfectant wipes. All my valiant efforts made the world around me a little cleaner,…

I don’t know about your email inbox, but mine often overflows with news alerts. I can usually buzz through them fairly quickly, but last week, three items caught my eye and had me clicking through to learn more. Exercise is safe for ALS patients Until my ALS diagnosis…

For a man whose passion involved solving the mysteries of the universe, Stephen Hawking remained a mystery to many. First and foremost he was a British physicist, earning accolades and respect for his many contributions to science. Secondly, as a person living with ALS, his fame came…