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.There was a time when I could twist off the lid of a new jar of peanut butter with ease; I always enjoyed hearing that distinctive pop when the lids finally gave way. Pickles, spaghetti sauce, whatever: Those jars…
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For most people, the holidays are a time of joy and good cheer, and an opportunity to get together with family and friends. But when living with ALS, social gatherings have the potential to add stress to an…
A question I’m often asked by newly diagnosed ALS patients is, “What do you think is the one thing that helped you adjust so well to living with ALS?” My answer is always the same: There’s no…
I must confess, whenever I’m in a crowded public place, I wear a face mask. Why? Because I’m a person living with ALS and doing everything I can to keep my immune system in tiptop shape. Plus, being…
Ask me what I think about having a do-the-same-thing-every-day routine and I’ll tell you it is great. Especially now that I live with ALS, having and following a consistent daily routine is absolutely vital to my health. A…
I love scrolling through the short videos people post on social media with tips and tricks to help make everyday tasks easier. Commonly called “hacks,” these are easy shortcuts that often involve repurposing items found around the home. For…
Hoo-wee! Am I glad summer is over. Not because of any changes or challenges from my ALS, but because of a series of unexpected life events. This year, my summer months felt as if I were on an…
You might assume from reading my column over the past few years that I’m the model of positivity. I certainly try to be, but sometimes I’m not. Like many who live with ALS, I also have…
An email that landed in my inbox the other day made me sit up and take notice. It was from a dear friend who is a care services coordinator for the ALS Association of Wisconsin. She shared a link…
Does it matter what I choose to wear to my ALS medical appointments? I think it does, and my reasons might surprise you. Hopefully, once I explain myself, you’ll be convinced that what you wear will make a…
Is it just me, or are people speaking at a faster clip nowadays? Yeah, maybe it’s just me. It seems I’ve become hypersensitive to the various speeds and rhythms we use to communicate with each other, especially now that…
I’ve been living with ALS for 12 years now, and it’s certainly taught me many lessons. They’ve involved having patience and perseverance, as well as getting back up over and over. The most important lesson, however, has been…
One of the many things I love about living in Arizona is its unique weather patterns. For 10 months out of the year, we have warm temperatures and clear skies, followed by two months of thunderstorms. But lately, my…
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