Living with ALS

When he was first diagnosed with ALS — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease — on Dec. 6, 2010, Bruce Kramer was dean of the School of Education at the University of St. Thomas. He shared his journey with the incurable disease from time to time with MPR News Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.

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November 20, 2015 3:35 PM

'Living While Dying' episode 23: The stress of caregiving

Bruce Kramer and his wife Ev Emerson discuss how their relationship has evolved as she has taken on the role of caregiver.

by Cathy Wurzer

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November 6, 2015 5:25 PM

'Living While Dying' episode 22: Teaching doctors

Bruce Kramer felt that the doctor who first told him that he had ALS did not deliver the devastating news with the proper compassion.

by Cathy Wurzer

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October 30, 2015 12:00 AM

'Living While Dying' episode 21: Wrestling with angels

Bruce Kramer talks about his thoughts on mortality and spirituality.

by Cathy Wurzer

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October 23, 2015 3:48 PM

'Living While Dying' episode 20: Life becomes quieter

As ALS takes its toll on his body, Bruce Kramer decides that the time and energy required to go out and see friends is too great.

by Cathy Wurzer

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October 16, 2015 11:38 AM

'Living While Dying' episode 19: Embracing loss

Bruce Kramer and Matthew Sanford of Mind/Body Solutions speak at an event at the University of St. Thomas. They talk about how all of our bodies are breaking down. They say it's important to embrace that reality rather than fight it.

by Cathy Wurzer

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October 9, 2015 12:33 PM

'Living While Dying' episode 18: The peanut gallery

Bruce Kramer responds to a series of articles in the New York Times which argue that suicide is a logical choice at the end of life.

by Cathy Wurzer

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October 2, 2015 12:00 AM

'Living While Dying' episode 17: Paper cuts

In the fall of 2013, the losses from ALS, or "paper cuts," as Bruce Kramer called them, kept coming.

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September 25, 2015 12:00 AM

'Living While Dying' episode 16: Two pictures

Two recent photographs of Bruce Kramer illustrate his frame of mind.

by Cathy Wurzer

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September 18, 2015 11:35 AM

'Living While Dying' episode 15: Bucket list

Bruce Kramer faced some important decisions as his ALS progressed. He contemplated whether he should get a diaphragmatic pacing system, which would help him breathe. And he wondered about the value of checking things off a "bucket list."

by Cathy Wurzer