How I Use ‘Showing Up’ to Help Me Live with ALS
I experienced quite a few emotional dips during my first year of living with ALS. Dips in the way of full-on mental funks, feeling a loss of purpose, being disconnected from…
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 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.
Read more
Fighting Another Cold While Managing ALS
This time around, I really, really tried not to let it happen. But it did. I washed my hands. I avoided all contact with suspicious “others,” and even hauled around a good-sized…
3 ALS News Items to Note: Exercise, a Documentary, and a Love Story
I don’t know about your email inbox, but mine often overflows with news alerts. I can usually buzz through them fairly quickly, but last week, three items caught my eye and had…
My ALS Hero: Stephen Hawking
For a man whose passion involved solving the mysteries of the universe, Stephen Hawking remained a mystery to many. First and foremost he was a British physicist, earning accolades and respect for…
My Week Living by the Numbers
I recently volunteered to participate in the Precision Medicine Program (PMP) of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). I chose them because all of their funds go toward research, I…
With ALS, Self-care Is Vital for Well-being
As a newly diagnosed ALS patient attending an ALS clinic, I received a packet filled with various brochures and helpful information. Attached to one pamphlet I found a small card with…
Tap into Your Inner Astronaut for Resilience
What do we have in common with an astronaut who is trying to survive while stranded on a hostile planet? Answer: We share the ability to tap into our resourcefulness, resiliency, and…
Making a New Friend with Help from a Boogie Board
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a fun, social, gala event. Even though the occasion was filled with presentations and entertaining activities, my best take-home memory came from the special…
Learning How to Speak (and Breathe) with Ease
Last month, I read a blog post from the ALS Association that made me sit up and pay attention. It told the story of a woman with ALS-related voice issues who…
How to Coach the Coach: Make It a Sandwich
Quality caregiving and care-accepting depend on effective communication between parties. It’s a delicate balancing act, especially when the caregiver is a spouse or family member. With traditional roles reversed, misunderstandings can…
Time Matters
Among the many challenges I experienced during my early months with ALS was its effect on my perception of time. Before ALS, I pretty much meandered through life in full confidence that…
How to Revive Your Daily Life Routines
I’m one of those folks who follow daily life routines. Simply put, it’s a series of predictable habits that bring structure to my life and help me maintain a positive attitude while…
