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
Category Archives: Daily Life
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
Jennifer of all trades. Master of Arts.
On Dec. 16, 2010, Jennifer posted “Halfway through.” In this blog she talked about how much work she had completed toward her Master of Arts in Humanities degree, as well as the equal amount she had left to finish in order to graduate from Central Michigan University. On May 4, 2013, her dream of a…… Continue Reading
Our true love story
I always tell my interns to write tight. Make each word count. I hope I make them proud with this post as I let the humbling work of others speak volumes. See for yourself why Jennifer and I gratefully offer huge thanks to: • Adam Miedema – our friend and my Central Michigan University colleague…… Continue Reading
MS and a 6th grader’s vision
Ryan Backus hadn’t really heard of Multiple Sclerosis before March of this year. The Fancher Elementary School student was focused more on the activities and issues that typically concern 11-year-old boys. You know, things like making art, drawing pictures, playing baseball and hockey and rehearsing for the 6th grade Mock Rock event. But his not-so-typical…… Continue Reading
Being orange
Step into my office. Or, better yet, step into our Springsteen room. Either way, you’ll immerse yourself in a sea of orange. It’s a strong citrus sort of color that screams, “LOOK AT ME!” but it’s lack of neon flare whispers, “i promise i won’t bite.” My consistent color palate at work and at home…… Continue Reading
Straight ahead! (with MS)
I’m going to gripe about the same thing each time I watch a football game. Jennifer knows this. She just smiles and lets me gripe. Usually she chimes in to acknowledge she understands why I’m cursing the current stupid running back, wide receiver or kick returner. “Straight ahead!” Jennifer repeats as though she’s my pigskin…… Continue Reading
Mind if we play through?
I enjoy that even with the challenges Jennifer and I face in living with MS, every day life is everyday life. The effects of these challenges – including everything from her inability to walk to my constantly numb hands and feet – merely are par for our courses of this disease. It’s as though we…… Continue Reading
How we roll
I don’t think we want to have MS today. We’re too busy. Oh sure, my hands burn with numbness, and I’m sure Jennifer has her own issues. Going to bed at 11 p.m. and getting up at 3:30 in the morning will have a negative impact on even the healthiest of people. But don’t tell…… Continue Reading
Shaken, not stirred
My, how things change when you’re battling a chronic illness that literally and figuratively is inside your head. I went to Central Michigan University’s indoor track today and ran. For a couple laps. I ran three. Walked three. Ran four. Walked three. Ran four. Walked two. Nineteen laps total. Nine times around the track equals…… Continue Reading