How I Took My First Step in Spreading ALS Awareness
Like many newly diagnosed ALS patients, I was overwhelmed by the steep learning curve of finding out more about the disease. Never mind having to jump in and help raise funds for it.
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…
Read more
How We’ll Find That Perfect Ending to the ALS Story
Last week, I caught up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. After we chatted a bit about the challenges of the past year, she suddenly asked, “Isn’t it strange that they…
Friends Don’t Tell Friends How to Cure Their Disease
It all began as one of those typical online interactions when someone reaches out and asks for help. A gentleman contacted me via Facebook, explaining that his friend was recently diagnosed with ALS. He…
How ‘Self-care Minis’ Help Me Through a Busy Day
I’m always on the lookout for self-care strategies that help me cope and live with my ALS. Recently, I added two quick and easy skills I call “self-care minis” to my ever-growing list. They…
My COVID-19 Vaccine Included a Shot of Positive Attitude
Although I was smack in the middle of a vast parking lot and surrounded by a hundred strangers, I felt genuinely hopeful for the first time in a long, long while. I was in…
How I Live With Gravity, Coincidence, and ALS
I’ll admit that during my high school days, when our studies turned toward physics, I didn’t pay much attention. Gravity, the invisible force that keeps us on the ground and makes things fall, seemed…
With Clinical Trial Criteria, We’re Stuck on the Outside, Looking In
“Have you ever participated in clinical trials?” That’s a common question among ALS patients. What’s my standard answer? “It’s complicated. I’m participating in several studies, but even though I’d like to, I haven’t been…
Echo! Can You Understand Me, Now?
Last week, I stepped onto my soapbox (mine has special safety handrails) and voiced my opinion about an issue that’s been bugging me for several years. It’s a problem I share with about 7.5…
Lessons I Learned From My AFOs
I’m happy to announce I’ve finally resolved a love-hate relationship — with my AFOs. It took persistence, but I can now step into my white, molded plastic ankle-foot orthoses and walk pain-free. That’s…
Positive Rituals and My Evolving Morning Routine
Ten years ago, if you had asked me how I was feeling when I woke up in the morning, I would’ve ignored you and disappeared beneath the blankets. That was during my first…
3 Things I Would Do Differently If Diagnosed Today
I’m often asked by others in the ALS community for tips and insight from my past 10 years of living with ALS. While I am grateful for both making it this far while maintaining…
Let’s Help Bring Back the ALS Clinics
As I hung up the phone following a short chat with my neurologist, an old saying bubbled up in my mind: “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” What was I bemoaning…
