One of the biggest things Jennifer and I fear with us both living with Multiple Sclerosis was recently realized. I got out of bed and couldn’t stand up to walk. Me, Jennifer’s primary caregiver who is the physical force behind her every transfer in and out of her power wheelchair, lost control of my legs,…… Continue Reading
Catch the Digmanns in the news
Category Archives: inspiration
With MS and life, ‘perseverance’ is my 2019 word of the year
I was talking with my brother, Steve, the other day as Dan finished his workday. Beyond the New Year’s Eve party analyses that highlight Steve and my first conversation of each new year, he hit me with something before I even asked him. He asked me if I had made any New Year’s resolutions, and…… Continue Reading
Our defining moments of the year, despite MS
Perhaps you’ve read essays from us about how we are huge proponents of making New Year’s resolutions. These are the goals and ideas we set for ourselves to make positive changes and improvements in our lives. But before we look ahead and write down what we hope to accomplish in 2019, we’ve found it’s worth…… Continue Reading
Moving to the MuSic
I remember the physical therapy students telling me that we were going to dance at my next visit, but I couldn’t imagine what that would look like. Let’s be honest. I haven’t stood in more than 16 years, which means Dan never has known me to stand or walk on my own. How the heck…… Continue Reading
Take time to give thanks for Caregivers
Our kitchen counter is filled with foundations for two Thanksgiving side dish staples: green bean casserole and scalloped corn. Don’t get us wrong, turkey is the main attraction, but in our minds the sides always have the starring role in this annual tradition. Come Thanksgiving morning, we’ll wake up early and prepare three pans of…… Continue Reading
Why telling others your MS story is good for you
Sharing your Multiple Sclerosis stories is a key component to self-care. I often say that I’m going to keep talking about Multiple Sclerosis so much that people will cure the disease just to shut me up. But they haven’t cured it yet, so I’m still talking. Dan and I recently had the opportunity to speak…… Continue Reading
Winter is coming: MS preparations for when it’s here
Talk to people about their Multiple Sclerosis symptoms, and many are quick to come forward with sensitivity to the heat. Jennifer and I get it. We also are weakened most times the temperature tops 80.3 degrees, give or take a few depending on weather wildcards like direct sunshine and hovering humidity. Summer heatwaves are so…… Continue Reading
Sharing knowledge for the newly diagnosed with MS
Jennifer and I spend a lot of time on our blog writing about the things we are doing despite and in spite of our Multiple Sclerosis. Our hope is that by showing what still is possible, these stories will help other people to move beyond their MS or whichever challenges they’re facing. These are the…… Continue Reading
MS and camping at Coldwater in incredibly cold weather
The same thought crossed both of our minds shortly after midnight as we huddled together shivering under five blankets. “We won’t die from hypothermia if it only gets down to 34 degrees, will we?” Jennifer reassured herself that we had keys to the van, and we could just go home where it was warm, while…… Continue Reading
Virginia is for … conquering MS fears
It seems like we just got back from our epic trip to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia to present at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Brian Mason Weekend Escape. Guess when you successfully tackle one of your biggest flying fears, the adrenaline rush takes its time leaving your system. Sure, we’ve taken direct flights countless…… Continue Reading