The tips and strategies that help me participate in life
Living with ALS for the past 14 years has taught me an important lesson on adapting to a new way of life. Before ALS, my life was filled with carefree movement. I spoke with…
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
These bathroom safety modifications were a great decision
An old adage says, “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” Well, I’m in that future now, so today, I’m sending my past self a basket full of thanks. Why? Because every time I walk…
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How a sticky situation taught me a lesson about overcoming challenges
ALS has taught me many life lessons, and one of the most important ones is to never give up. Recently, though, I was put to the test by a very sticky strip of Velcro. The episode became a…
Improvising to go with the flow while living with ALS
I love it when all of my planning unfolds exactly as expected, and at the end of the day, I can pause to exhale, smile, and tell myself, “That went extremely well.” I wasn’t always an avid planner, but…
How setting an intention to ‘simply be’ became an ALS goal
Is anyone else bombarded by social media messages to set goals, make New Year’s resolutions, or create a bucket list for 2024? I sure have been. In my pre-ALS days, I heeded the reminders. I looked forward to…
Sorting out the sometimes confusing advice on ALS and diet
What if I told you that eating sugar cookies and cherry pie could help slow down the progression of ALS symptoms? You’d probably say, “Hey Dagmar, you’ve gone bananas!” I know, I know. The suggestion sounds contrary to…
Just ask and ALS patients will tell you what we want: a cure
One important habit I enjoy doing every day is keeping up with the latest ALS-related news and research. But every once in a while, I come across an article that has me muttering, “Was this research even needed?” And…
My new ALS management strategy is to give myself a mission
As much as I’d love to be perceived as an I’ve-got-it-all-figured-out sort of ALS patient, I’m not. I have to invent mental strategies all the time to help me navigate through my day. Lately, I’ve been easily distracted…
A faulty office chair reminds me to always look for opportunities
Who knew that a malfunctioning office chair could actually be a helpful addition to my daily ALS-focused exercises? I certainly didn’t. But now that I’ve grown accustomed to its sneaky ways, I want to keep my chair just…
Here’s how I use a chair to safely do floor exercises
“Oh my, are you OK? Did you fall? Can I help you up?” Walking into the living room several years ago, my adult daughter was startled to find me on my hands and knees on the floor, huffing and…
A childhood curveball at Halloween guides me in living with ALS
Being told I had ALS felt as if a rug had suddenly been pulled out from under me. My world changed all at once, with no possibility of turning it back. That happened in 2010, and it was…
Lessons learned from the dysphagia symptoms that come with my ALS
Swallowing. It’s such a simple thing for most to do. But swallowing can also be a scary maneuver, especially when it turns into an ALS symptom called dysphagia. I began experiencing it about four years after my…
Understanding and accepting the process of aging and living with ALS
Yay, it’s October! Fall colors, pumpkin pie, Halloween, and my birthday month. Not only am I feeling “another year older, another year wiser,” I’m also grateful and appreciative that I’ve had 72 birthdays, even though I’m living with…
