Sometimes, it’s easy to feel powerless when you’re living with a chronic illness. Maybe because of your disease you can’t stand or work or control the course of your condition. We live with a lot of this everyday. But in our determination we offset these “Can’ts” with activities that make us feel powerful. Advocating for…… Continue Reading
Catch the Digmanns in the news
Author Archives: Jennifer
I did it! Now what?
I had not been so excited for a date to come since my wedding day almost eight years ago, but May 4, 2013 was the day I’d been imagining and dreaming about for the past five years. As Dan mentioned in his last post, May 4th was my graduation day from Central Michigan University. On…… Continue Reading
Musical birthday memories
“In Xanadu, did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree…” So sayeth Olivia Newton-John in one of my all-time favorite movies: Xanadu. I love this 1980 film that was billed as, “A Fantasy, A Musical, A Place Where Dreams Come True.” I love its music, storyline, the roller-skating, and its abundant cheesiness. And I love…… Continue Reading
The Blame Game
As I was reading at the dining room table, I heard a car and then my husband’s voice. “Strange,” I thought. “Maybe Dan ran into someone he knew while he was out on his run.” So I kept reading, only to be horrified when I saw Dan walk in the front door. His right eye…… Continue Reading
I've been thinking…
I spent a large part of my summer thinking and learning about disability. Sounds silly right? After all, I shouldn’t need to learn about disability since I live it—having relied on a wheelchair for the last ten years, but now I see disability differently. I better understand the societal, financial, and political realities of having…… Continue Reading
Speaking of hotel accessibility
When my dear friend Jen became engaged to “The One” (Adam), my friends and I were prepared for a great shin-dig! Oops, I mean a very beautiful, elegant wedding. No one would have expected anything less from Jen. After all she was our go-to party-planning maven. As we expected, she took care of every wedding…… Continue Reading
My MS lesson
On May 12, Dan and I will join our friends and family in Frankenmuth, Mich., for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s largest fundraiser, Walk MS. The walk is always a great event; good people, good times, an exciting atmosphere, weather that is often awful but despite that, the day is always wonderful. This is the…… Continue Reading
Despite MS, I Am a Caregiver
Memories of an old Nike advertisement when Charles Barkley proclaimed that he was not a role model got me thinking of something I am not. I am not a caregiver. I mean, I can’t be. After all, I am the one in the wheelchair. The one who no longer stands without help. The one who…… Continue Reading
Trapped
Exactly one week ago today, I was enjoying the best concert I have ever been to. Funny—it was a show by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Yes, the 80s rock singer of Born in the U.S.A. The guy that led me to tell my mom nearly 10 years ago, after meeting my now-husband…… Continue Reading
Not today
I think I don’t want to have MS today. I don’t want to take my injection today, because really, are you sure it is anything more than glorified water? And I’m tired of asking for help all of the time. “Will you help me in the bathroom?” or “Will you drive me to the store?”…… Continue Reading