Stepping Out of My ‘ALS Silo’
Growing up in Iowa, I knew that silos were beneficial for farmers who used them to store grain and corn. When I entered the workforce, silos were a negative thing. It was…
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
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…
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Be Willing to Do Just One Squat
I’ve been experimenting with improving my leg strength and gaining back a lost skill. I share the surprising results below. Since my ALS diagnosis in 2010, I’ve followed a daily practice of range-of-motion exercises…
Weather Lessons for Living Well with ALS
Stick around, because the weather will always change! That was a life lesson I learned while growing up in Iowa. Spring in Iowa often meant that one day we’d be wearing parkas,…
Adventures with My Mobility Scooter
They’re boring, slow, and only for old people! That’s what I told my husband when he first suggested that I consider using a mobility scooter. Like so many who live with…
Are You Fighting Battles or Just Encountering Speed Bumps?
As I travel down life’s highway with ALS, I’m always on alert for speed bumps. These are the metaphorical unknowns that pop up to challenge my resilience and positive mindset. Last…
New Projects Help Me to Find Purpose
Last week was an exciting one for me: The website I created went live. Working on this special project was an entirely new experience; it turned out to be a challenging one,…
Schoolin’ Google in ALS
Do you speak with an “ALS accent”? I know I do. Fortunately, my family and close friends have learned to translate my slow, slurred words into meaningful conversation. However, to the Alexa device…
Closing the Gap Between Self and Care
Just mention the term self-care in any conversation and you’ll soon have many different definitions. It can be medical, describing how patients with a chronic disease are taught to self-manage their illness.
Riding Out the Lag Time
Yup, it’s that time of year again — lag time! We’re in that weird space in time that’s just after all the holiday hoopla and before the “next big thing” comes along.
The Power of One Resolution
The new year is just beginning, and my email inbox is already overflowing with suggestions about the importance of setting goals and resolutions. But for many living with ALS, traditional goals…
The ALS Game Board of Life
I’ve always looked forward to December; it’s a month filled with decorations, holiday gifts, and happy social gatherings. But this month eight years ago, I was diagnosed with ALS, so December…
Living Loudly and Laughing with Dysarthria
About four years ago, ALS impeded my speaking ability. Like more than 80 percent of all ALS patients, I now have dysarthria, or what I refer to as my “ALS voice.”…
