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…
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.
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From balloons to humming: Finding ways to strengthen lungs with ALS
Last week, I opened my inbox and an article from ALS News Today caught my eye. The story, “Maximizing lung function with ALS,” explained how patients can proactively manage their lung health…
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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…
How a Little Headlamp Helps to Calm My ALS Mind
One of the many things I love about living in Arizona is its unique weather patterns. For 10 months out of the year, we have warm temperatures and clear skies, followed by two months…
My Motivational ‘Bumper Stickers’ Help Me Live Well With ALS
Sometimes we all need a little help deciding whether to do something. I know I certainly do. That’s when I rely on what I call my “ALS bumper stickers.” They’re the latest addition to…
When I Needed Home Healthcare Aides, They Came Through for Me
My husband is my primary caregiver. In fact, he’s been my only caregiver for the past 12 years that I’ve been living with ALS. That changed last week, when he needed medical tests…
My COVID-19 Recovery Took Weeks, but I’m Staying Positive
There I was, just living each day and minding my own business. I was following all the guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and wearing a mask everywhere I…
Living With ALS Is a Matter of Letting Go and Keeping On
Newly diagnosed ALS patients often contact me and ask what I eat, what I do, and how I’ve managed to continue living with ALS for the past 12 years. I explain that there…
My ALS Week: Voice Therapy, New Exercise Ideas, and the Loss of a Colleague
This past week had me experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. I started with a feeling of pride while reading a recent study that validated my at-home voice therapy sessions. Next, curiosity drew me…
I Just Received a Diagnosis of ALS. What Now?
Sometimes the simplest things can help us the most. That’s what I learned in the months right after I received a diagnosis of ALS. Like most newly diagnosed ALS patients, I felt overwhelmed…
Improving ALS Representation in Movies: My Behind-the-Scenes Role
Ever since I was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, I’ve become sensitive to how ALS is represented in the movies. And I’ll admit to voicing my opinion about the topic in several…
