Why I named my column ‘Living Well with ALS’
I named my column “Living Well with ALS” for many reasons. The most important one was that each word in the title had a deep meaning for me. Six years ago, when…
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
Many plastic bottles pose problems for those of us with ALS
If you’ve been keeping up with my recent columns, you’ve likely figured out that even though I have ALS, I maintain a glass-half-full attitude. So, today, I thought you’d enjoy learning how I…
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How I made my own resilience checklist to live with ALS
Something was missing from the packet of patient information my doctor gave me on the day she told me I had ALS. But I didn’t discover that missing item until 12 months later.
How 4 wheels and Velcro help me move through my ALS life
Like many ALS patients, I had a difficult time accepting assistive devices into my life. In my case, a pair of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), a rollator, and a mobility scooter challenged my adaptability…
My Santa wish list for holiday events and life with ALS
Dear Santa, here’s my special wish list for the holiday season. I’m not asking for toys or special treats, just your help in making my holiday social events blend better with my life…
What I do when I’m feeling unmotivated in life with ALS
Can it be that we were cheering on athletes at the Olympics only a few months ago? Where did the summer go? Looking back, I realize I spent most of my summer and early…
How my ‘ex-straw-ordinary’ straws help me in living with ALS
I collect drinking straws. Not just any old straws, mind you, but long, wide-barreled plastic straws. My assortment includes several unusual straws as well, and they all help me drink beverages with ease even…
The sensation of a hum was one of my early symptoms of ALS
Hmmmmm. That’s what my body feels when it’s doing its “humming thing.” It’s an all-over buzzy sensation that I chalk up to being another quirky symptom of my ALS. It’s a feeling I’ve never…
I choose to be optimistic, even though I have ALS
One day, about four years after my diagnosis of ALS, I began having trouble pronouncing words. My tongue felt thick and couldn’t form words at the speed I was thinking them. My speech…
6 simple habits that help me with living with ALS
Life’s curveballs happen to us all. Many of my column’s topics have been about the unexpected events I face while I live with ALS, as well as what I do to conquer…
How a long walk taught me a valuable lesson about ALS pride
“What was I thinking?” The words boomeranged around my mind as I stood frozen in place under the hot Arizona sun. I was experiencing an ALS patient’s worst nightmare: being stuck with an…
A visit to my skin doctor becomes an ALS milestone moment
Last week I visited my dermatologist for my annual skin exam and when it was over I left his office with a brand new perspective about my ALS. I’m quite diligent about my…
I plan a recess break for every hour of my ALS day
“Keep on moving!” That’s something I tell myself every day. Since I live with ALS, however, keeping myself moving is easier said than done — especially in the afternoon, when my energy drops…
