I’m Learning to Embrace My High-speed ALS Reflexes
Shortly after I was diagnosed with ALS, I began to notice my reflexes acting kind of wonky. Pre-ALS, thanks to years of practicing yoga and tai chi, I considered myself a relatively calm…
Living Well With ALS
— Dagmar Munn
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.
Featured Post
How I navigate health anxiety and ALS fears
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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Holiday Get-together Ideas to Reduce Stress for Those With ALS
For most people, the holidays are a time of joy and good cheer, and an opportunity to get together with family and friends. But when living with ALS, social gatherings have the potential…
How Journaling Helped Me Adjust to Living With ALS
A question I’m often asked by newly diagnosed ALS patients is, “What do you think is the one thing that helped you adjust so well to living with ALS?” My answer is…
Why I Still Wear a Mask in Public
I must confess, whenever I’m in a crowded public place, I wear a face mask. Why? Because I’m a person living with ALS and doing everything I can to keep my immune system…
How My Daily Routine Helps Me Live With ALS
Ask me what I think about having a do-the-same-thing-every-day routine and I’ll tell you it is great. Especially now that I live with ALS, having and following a consistent daily routine is absolutely…
Using an ALS Hack for Everyday Tasks? Make It a Safe Solution
I love scrolling through the short videos people post on social media with tips and tricks to help make everyday tasks easier. Commonly called “hacks,” these are easy shortcuts that often involve repurposing items…
With COVID-19 Recovery, My Household Learned While Adjusting
Hoo-wee! Am I glad summer is over. Not because of any changes or challenges from my ALS, but because of a series of unexpected life events. This year, my summer months felt as…
How I Used Self-compassion to Manage a ‘Mea Culpa Moment’
You might assume from reading my column over the past few years that I’m the model of positivity. I certainly try to be, but sometimes I’m not. Like many who live with…
Self-compassion Through Mindfulness Benefits ALS Patients
An email that landed in my inbox the other day made me sit up and take notice. It was from a dear friend who is a care services coordinator for the ALS Association of…
Why What I Wear to My ALS Appointments Helps Me Feel Better
Does it matter what I choose to wear to my ALS medical appointments? I think it does, and my reasons might surprise you. Hopefully, once I explain myself, you’ll be convinced that what…
How Dysarthria Affects My Daily Life, and What I Do About It
Is it just me, or are people speaking at a faster clip nowadays? Yeah, maybe it’s just me. It seems I’ve become hypersensitive to the various speeds and rhythms we use to communicate with…
How ALS Is Teaching Me to Start Over — Again and Again
I’ve been living with ALS for 12 years now, and it’s certainly taught me many lessons. They’ve involved having patience and perseverance, as well as getting back up over and over. The most…
