Friends,
MS is challenging isn’t it? Many of us eventually get challenged with the transition of being able to continue working or not. This challenge of acceptance could be one of the hardest life changing challenges we face. What’s next? What help is available?
Although we may not have the answers to this as everyone has different life circumstances, we may be able to connect you with people that can help. People that have been through it. We have a special offer that Rick Talbert is willing to do.
Rick’s willing to start a Medicare 101 educational program on a monthly basis. This will bring people together who’ve been through it along with provide information and answer questions about it. Here’s a message from Rick with more information:
Dan, as recently discussed, after being in the health insurance industry for the last 10 years, I’ve noticed one of the challenges individuals may face is when they become Medicare eligible. It’s a new experience and there are usually many questions before individuals enroll or even after they’re receiving Medicare benefits.
I know many of the Just Keep Moving participants may currently be on Medicare or may soon be eligible. Therefore if it meets with your approval I’d like to provide a series of educational sessions we can call Medicare 101. Topics discussed include eligibility, enrollment, benefits, Parts A, B, D, Supplements, Advantage Plans and other relevant topics.
As discussed, sessions would be held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11:30 beginning this month on July 17.
Rick Talbert
So mark your calendars for July 17th and let’s see how many people this can help in some way.
We need more volunteers for the rest areas on the MS Bike Ride. Chris Wegner is organizing this and is pleading for more volunteers. We have a sign up sheet at the gym and you can also contact Chris directly. Here’s a message from Chris:
We need help with both Rest Stops! Can you include some or all of this information in your email?
Hello MS Just Keep Moving folks and Peppy Pedalers.
We have 2 Rest Stops at the MS Bike Ride:
Saturday:
Saturday Rest Stop #3- Water Only
Siloam United Methodist Church
W104 Cty CI, Dousman, WI 53118
9:30am – 2:30pm
We will also take donations of Snacks, fruit, baked goods that don’t melt and the other items such as coolers/ice, 6ft table, 8 x 10 canopy for “cheerleaders”, large 5 gal thermos. Sign Up with the MS Society and with me please so we can keep track of who is bringing what! BIG NEED – can you bring the leftovers from the Rest Stop to Whitewater and give to me? Any questions can ask me! 414-719-1022
Sunday:
Sunday Rest Stop #5
Natalie’s Garden And Greenhouse
4460 Rutland Dunn Townline Rd, Oregon, WI 53575
9:30am – 4:30pm
Items that would be nice – 8 X 10 canopy for Medical team, baked goods that don’t melt, COOLERS and ICE. And LOTS of people to help, this Rest Stop is visited by all riders on Sunday!
Whatever info you use will be fine, just starting to panic a little!! Meeting with Paula tomorrow at the gym.
THANKS!!!
Chris
Linda will be doing another alcohol inks class this Friday. Please join her if you can. Here’s a message from Linda:
“Another alcohol inks group this Friday at Dan’s. Meet in the breakroom around 11:30. Newcomers welcome! “
Our Friday morning rides continue to get more spirited and inspirational as people continue to make progress each week. It’s amazing seeing so many people riding recumbent trikes together this year. Keep in mind, these are people who thought riding a bike was not possible anymore. It’ll be fun to have them on the MS Bike ride with us!
What’s really amazing is how excited so many others are to see these people riding together.
Donna and Karen have a blast every time they ride together…even with a broken arm.
Ask Rick if this easy. He’ll say something like “I love the challenge” as he cranks up his last hill of the ride. To think only a few weeks ago, he couldn’t ride any hills, flats were a challenge. “Hills are your friend” aren’t they Rick?
And then we have Al. Al rode with Darren during the ride. After the ride, he rode solo under his own power for the first time. I took a video of him as he said “Oh man, this the first freedom I’ve had in seven years!”. Way to go Al!
We’re going to have a fun Peppy Pedaler’s team again this year! We’re so fortunate to have so much passion, love, encouragement and willpower on our team. Who would have thought so many amazing people with and without MS would be riding with us? It’s fun!
Let’s ride again Friday morning @ 7:00am. We meet at Nettesheim Park on the SE corner of Hwy SS and Oak Street in Pewaukee. If you would like to ride a tandem or a trike, please let me know ahead of time so we bring one for you. I hope you’ll join us! We will not ride if it’s raining.
We all need to “Just Keep Moving”! It doesn’t matter where we start. We can start with laughing which is great exercise in itself. Other than that, we start with the body parts that will move and keep moving them as much as we can. Let them rest and then move them again.
I know there are still many of us going through other life challenges in addition to our challenges with MS. Let’s stick together, keep our chins up and keep sharing our journey. Better days are ahead. For those of you who haven’t been able to make it by us on Wednesdays and Fridays lately, please know you are missed and in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you’re able to make it back soon!
I hope you’ll join us both Wednesday and Friday again this week. Remember…consistency is key. With MS, it takes a lot of consistent effort every day to make small improvements. Yes, it’s frustrating so be patient and consistent and you’ll be amazed how your quality of life will continue to improve. It’s been about 17 years of exercising just about every day for me and I’m still making improvements (encouragement, love, support, nutrition and proper rest help immensely too). It takes time so please be patient. It sure is better than MS getting worse. I really don’t know what my life would be like if I didn’t do this (nor do I want to find out). I’m so thankful you are all joining me on this journey of making progress with our MS and quality of life…THANK YOU! We’ll continue to learn together…there’s so much power in the love and support we all share with each other.
In the past, I’ve been telling you to bring a friend. Unfortunately, we’re going to need to start a waiting list for new people. Please feel free to continue to share your experience and what we’re doing together. Let me know of anyone who would like to join us. I’ll communicate with these people through e-mail or phone and help them any way I can. When we have room for them to join us, I’ll encourage them to do that. If you’ve joined us in the past, please continue to join us.
We are here to help you and anyone with MS…no strings attached (well maybe an occasional story about the progress you’re making, smile, high five or a hug). I remember how challenging life used to be when my MS was bad. I get great joy sharing what I’ve learned and feel blessed with the progress I’ve made. I hope you make progress in some way too!