The following article appeared in the Morning Sun on Thursday, Oct. 14. It didn’t appear in the online version of the paper, so we’re reprinting it here. We look forward to sharing our stories to benefit the Mt. Pleasant Community Foundation Women’s Initiative—which provides for the needs of women and girls in Isabella County—through its annual “Look Who’s Talking” Speaker Series. See the story for event details, and if you’re in the Mt. Pleasant area Nov. 3, we invite you to attend and play a role in the success of the Women’s Initiative.
Mt. Pleasant couple to be keynote speakers at luncheon
Movie writers would never dream up a fairytale of two people with multiple sclerosis falling in love and living happily ever after. But Dan and Jennifer Digmann of Mt. Pleasant have been living this truest of love stories as a married couple since 2005. Combined, they have taken on this chronic illness for more than 20 years. Jennifer was diagnosed in 1997; Dan was diagnosed in 2000. He has relapsing-remitting MS; hers is secondary-progressive.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, and sensation. The relapsing-remitting course of MS is characterized by unpredictable, severe attacks with worsening of symptoms followed by full, partial, or no recovery of some function. Although recovery from an attack can take weeks, sometimes months, the disease does not worsen in the time between attacks. Secondary-progressive MS starts with a relapsing-remitting course, but later evolves into progressive disease.
MS is, with the exception of trauma, the most frequent cause of neurological disability in individuals from early to middle adulthood. According to the National MS Society Michigan Chapter, over 18,000 people in the state of Michigan are affected by the disease. In Isabella County, 89 have self-identified.
“Multiple sclerosis symptoms typically appear between the ages of 20 and 40,” said CMCH Internist Tamara Moutsatson, DO, FACOI, “The most common early symptoms of MS include tingling, numbness, loss of balance, weakness in one or more limbs, and blurred or double vision. If a person has two or more distinct episodes of these symptoms, he or she should see a physician.”
Doctors still don’t understand what causes multiple sclerosis, but there are interesting data that suggest genetics, a person’s environment, and possibly even a virus may play a role.The Digmanns have inspired countless friends, colleagues and perfect strangers with their amazing love story and passion for life. They share their stories through their blog www.danandjenniferdigmann.com, and have presented at events such as the Michigan Story Festival and the Region VII Area Agency on Aging annual meeting. Their story has appeared in local newspapers such as the Morning Sun and Midland Daily News as well as national publications including InsideMS.
Last year, the National MS Society Michigan Chapter honored them with its MS Achievement Award, recognizing their continued efforts to increase MS awareness, advocate to improve their lives and the lives of others, and to motivate others through their positive, yet realistic, way of dealing with adversity.
The Digmanns will be the keynote speakers at this year’s annual “Look Who’s Talking” Women’s Initiative Speaker Series Luncheon. This speaker series features speakers focusing on topics of interest and celebrates the accomplishments of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s Women’s Initiative. The luncheon will take place at The Comfort Inn Conference Center Wednesday, November 3 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. To purchase tickets, call MPACF at (989) 773-7322 by Wednesday, October 27.
“We applaud the Digmanns’ inspiring efforts to improve awareness of multiple sclerosis in our community and abroad,” Moutsatson added.
Dr. Moutsatson and Doris Watson, FNP-BC specialize in Women’s Health. Their practice is located in the Central Michigan Health Park just off High St. between Crapo St. and Isabella Rd. To schedule an appointment, call (989) 779-5222.