Jennifer (Urick) Digmann was diagnosed with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis in 1997, and in 2000, Dan Digmann received similar news from his doctor—he has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Though their diagnoses were difficult to come to terms with, it would be the thing that brought them together.

In 2002, the pair had a meet-cute at a National Multiple Sclerosis Society event in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Dan was seated at Jennifer’s table, and they were both instantly smitten.

“How can you not be captivated by her?” Dan said. “When it was over, I hung back because I didn’t want that event to be the last time I saw or connected with Jennifer.”

They got married three years later.

They are each other’s primary care partners, and they find strength in their shared experiences, all while navigating through difficulties that come with MS, like when one of them is under the weather and they can’t offer the same level of care as they can when they’re healthy.

The Digmanns share a passion for advocacy. Jennifer said they first got involved simply by writing letters, and then they went on visits, met legislators, and even traveled to Washington, D.C. several times.

“Not everyone can write, not everyone feels comfortable speaking to legislators. So, we think, ‘Oh, we’re going to do this’ on behalf of whoever in the group who doesn’t feel comfortable,” Jennifer added. 

“We say just to be your own best advocate because there’s nobody else that understands what we’re going through, so we need to make sure they understand our perspectives and how things impact us,” Dan said.

Another way they advocate and amplify voices of those in the disabled community is with their podcast: A Couple Takes on MS. They have over 80 episodes available on their website discussing life with MS, as well as interviewing people who also have the disease, doctors, and others in the community.

“It’s a really crappy disease, but it’s a great way to meet people,” Jennifer said. “We’ve met so many people who are willing to come and talk with us and share their insights.”

With advocacy and podcasting comes conversations about accessibility, something the Digmanns feel passionate about.

For Jennifer, the most vital accessibility is her power wheelchair and accessibility equipment in general.

“It is important that you have access to the accessibility equipment that makes your life possible, that can get you out and about, to leave the house,” she said.

Jennifer became an Amigo customer about 20 years ago. She used an Amigo while she could still walk, but now that she has lost the function of her legs, she uses a power wheelchair.

“[The Amigo] was so helpful because I could walk, but because of the disease, I couldn’t walk very long, and that helped save my energy,” Jennifer said. “The power chair I’m sitting in right now, I got from the Amigo Mobility Center. That company has been uber, uber important to me.” 

That’s a statement Dan echoes.

“Amigo has been… I don’t want to say lifesaver, but totally a life enhancer because without this powerchair, we wouldn’t go anywhere,” he said.

The most important lesson Dan said he has taken away from having MS is keeping things in perspective and not giving MS more control or more power than it deserves.

“The day I was formally diagnosed, you’re just bawling and sobbing—this is the worst thing ever. But then you wake up the next day and it’s like, I’m the same guy I was yesterday, I just have a formal diagnosis,” he said.

Dan encourages anyone who has MS to join communities and get involved so you can meet and engage with people who just get it.

“If I didn’t get out there, I would have never started an MS support group, and I never would’ve gone to the MS event in Frankenmuth,” he said. “I’m not saying you need to get involved so you find a soulmate, it’s just that, if we had closed ourselves off, none of that would’ve happened.”

For Jennifer and Dan, MS has brought its share of challenges, but also connection, purpose, and a platform to help others. Through advocacy, podcasting, and simply showing up for each other every day, they’ve turned a difficult diagnosis into a shared mission.

Their story shows how connection, support, and shared understanding can help make life with MS a little easier to navigate.

MS Communities & Support

Dan wanted to share the message that if you have MS and you’re struggling, you are not alone. Nearly one million people in the U.S. live with multiple sclerosis, and there are communities out there that can help and support you. 

The National MS Society offers plenty of resources on how you can connect with people in the MS community:

• Support in your area
• MSFriends: One-on-One Connections
• MS Navigator
• New to MS: Virtual Meetup
• Online Multiple Sclerosis Communities

And if you want to stay up-to-date with Dan and Jennifer, you can head to their website: https://acoupletakesonms.com/.