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,…
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
Positive self-talk helps me stay motivated when I need it
Last week, I fully intended to write a new “Living Well With ALS” column. I sat down, flipped open my laptop, gazed out the window, and got lost in a stare. As the…
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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.”…
Stuck in the Past? Here’s How to Reframe Your Future
Before ALS, whenever I thought about the future, I assumed my life would continue in a state of health and happiness, filled with lots of interesting activities. But in 2010, when I…
For Caregivers Appreciation Month, Give a Gift from Your Heart
When I learned I had ALS, my whole world changed, because on that day, I officially became an ALS patient. My husband’s world changed as well because, just as suddenly, he…
5 Things That Keep Me Motivated
Living with ALS presents many challenges, and staying mentally motivated is right at the top of the list. Being proactive to prevent our emotions from spiraling downward is easier than picking…
From the ALS Underground: The Last (Plastic) Straw
Have you heard the news? They’re banning plastic straws. Oh, darn! Just when I thought I had my ALS symptoms all figured out, perfect solutions in place, and solid daily routines to…
Are You Stuck in the ALS Waiting Room?
ALS life involves a lot of waiting. We wait for people to help us with daily tasks, we wait for medical test results, and we wait for new ALS symptoms. But it’s…
