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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Bruce Kramer works on a yoga pose

'Living While Dying' episode 3: Growing fatigue

June 26, 2015 12:00 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Bruce Kramer knew that ALS was going to slowly and insidiously steal much of his body's abilities. That's what it does, and the time in which it takes the disease to claim its victims varies.

Bruce Kramer

'Living While Dying' episode 2: Talking to friends about ALS

June 19, 2015 12:00 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Bruce Kramer learns to deal with the reactions of friends and colleagues when he tells them that he has ALS.

Bruce Kramer at home

'Living While Dying' episode 1: Diagnosis

June 12, 2015 12:00 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Bruce Kramer talks about his diagnosis and how it changed his view of the world.

Cathy Wurzer and Bruce Kramer

Listen: Cathy Wurzer remembers Bruce Kramer

April 2, 2015 11:42 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Cathy Wurzer reflects on interviews with Bruce Kramer, the former St. Thomas dean who was diagnosed with ALS. The pair collaborated on a book that was published days before Kramer's death.

Bruce Kramer at his Hopkins home

Bruce Kramer's journey with ALS reaches its end

March 23, 2015 3:55 PM

By Eric Ringham

Instead of quietly succumbing to ALS, Kramer summoned the resources to meet the disease head-on and talk about it in public.

Bruce Kramer

As death from ALS draws near, Kramer finds strength in choice

March 5, 2015 1:00 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

For Bruce Kramer and his wife, Ev Emerson, one of the benefits of hospice care is that they have some say about the manner of his approaching death.

Bruce Kramer and Ev Emerson

Living a love story cut short by ALS

February 13, 2015 4:00 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Far from having their marriage damaged by illness, Bruce Kramer and Ev Emerson have found a new intimacy.

Bruce Kramer

After 4 years of ALS, Kramer senses 'tipping point'

February 3, 2015 4:00 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Bruce Kramer isn't as worried about his increasing pain as he is about losing his power to communicate.

Ev Emerson and Bruce Kramer

To Bruce Kramer, denying our death means we're missing out

December 22, 2014 12:15 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

Talking frankly about ALS and death, Kramer says, beats giving in to bitterness.

Bruce Kramer and Cathy Wurzer

Bruce Kramer sets his sights on a 'good death'

November 7, 2014 12:01 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

ALS has given Bruce Kramer the same prognosis that cancer gave Brittany Maynard. She chose a quick death; he's chosen hospice care.