Friends,   

Thanks for the response from last week’s e-mail.  It sounds like many of you could relate to what I wrote about “what’s different?” as we try to figure out our MS symptoms.  I find it interesting that many of us living with MS can relate to this and reassure me that they’ve been trying to figure this out for over 20 years like I have and others who don’t live with MS have no clue of what we’re talking about.  It’s important for us to understand that they truly can’t relate because they’re not experiencing the same things we are.  It’s impossible for them to experience it and I’m thankful they don’t have to.  It’s nice to have friends that can relate though.

We really do need to support research to get this figured out.  For all of us living with MS, we need to be thankful for all the people who will be riding and raising money for the National MS Society this weekend on our “virtual” bike ride.  It’s encouraging to know that many people are still engaged and doing the best they can to raise money for the cause.  Many are riding in small groups to respect the pandemic.  We will be doing the same.  All of us riding are riding for all who have MS, especially those who can’t.  You keep us motivated to do all we can.  Thanks for sharing your challenges and accomplishments.

Did you get see John Haupt’s new fund-raising video this year?  It was just released within the past week and is getting great reviews.  John mentions quite a few from our group and has a powerful message.  Someday, together, we’re going to beat this thing!  Here’s a link to John’s new video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRpg5-g9ISs   Please watch it and feel free to share it.  Nice job John!  Thank you for producing this and sharing it!  You’re right, someday, together, we’re going to beat this thing!

I loved it last week when John of all people coached Laura through her first ride on the hand cycle that was donated to us by our Meat Fight friends in Texas.  Laura did awesome with John’s coaching. 

John did an amazing job of coaching and Laura worked really hard for four loops up a long gradual hill and around the neighborhood we were riding in.  I love Laura’s text she sent to John, Todd and me that night thanking us for the great ride.  

From Laura:

“Wanted to thank you for helping on my maiden voyage with the handcycle.  Thought I better do this tonight because I may not be as thankful tomorrow morning when I struggle to lift a toothbrush to my mouth”

That brought a smile to my face đŸ˜Š.  I checked with Laura the next day and she felt great!  I hope she’s ready to ride again this week.  Todd is doing a little more work to the hand cycle getting it ready for her.  Thanks Todd!

If you would like to support us on the ride this weekend as we ride for all with MS, especially those who can’t; we would appreciate it.  You can do this at my National MS Society personal page https://mssociety.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=2299

Do you want to have a fun training ride?  Please join us at 7:00am Friday morning at Nettesheim Park on the SE corner of Hwy SS and Oak Street in Pewaukee.  Same place as last year.  We’ll all ride together as we’ve done in all the years past.  If you need me to bring a trike or two, please let me know. 

Let’s keep riding! đŸ˜Š

Our prayer group on Wednesday mornings are a great place to get together virtually, catch up a bit and give thanks.  Even though we can’t get together physically, it’s so nice to see all that joins us virtually and learn how you’re doing and how this pandemic is affecting you.  I really like the good things coming out of this pandemic that are discussed…seeing God’s work as blessings.  It’s awesome seeing so many of you there laughing, listening, sharing, giving thanks and praying!   We have a lot to give thanks for, don’t we?

We’re going to be doing it again tomorrow (Wednesday) @ 11:30am.  We’ll get together either via phone or computer (your choice) and share, talk, listen, give thanks, and pray in however God leads us.  It’s a way for all of us to get together virtually to catch up and be there for each other and with each other.  I hope you’ll join us!

Here’s a link to our Zoom Meeting that Ashley provided for us.  Thanks Ashley!  Just click or call @ 11:30am Wednesday and you’ll be connected.  I hope to “see” you there!  đŸ˜Š

Topic: MS-Just Keep Moving Prayer Group

Time: This is a recurring meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/786859505

Meeting ID: 786 859 505

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I hope you’ll join us on Zoom!

My heart goes out to all the people and families of the people that have been affected by COVID-19.  This is really getting serious and close to home.  Whether actually having it, being exposed to it, being affected by businesses being shut down, losing your job, working on the front line, etc.  These are tough times and we really need to take it seriously and do our part of practicing social distancing and all other recommendations.  I hope you and your family are safe.  Let’s keep everyone affected in our prayers and pray we all get through this as safely as we can.

As we all go through this pandemic together, I encourage you to share a smile with someone.  Perhaps you could give someone a call that you haven’t talked with for a while just to see how they’re doing.  This pandemic is tough in many ways.  We all could use a little extra love and encouragement during these times.

Let’s be thankful for all the doctors, nurses and everyone in the health care that are putting themselves at risk every day and every night as they serve those with the Coronavirus.  These are amazing, selfless, courageous people!  Let’s also give thanks to all the people in the world that are working diligently to develop testing equipment and ways to treat this Coronavirus.  Let’s also give thanks for all the people that are working diligently to produce protective gear, respirators, and any other medical equipment to help us get through this pandemic. 

We may be inconvenienced in many ways but others have it much worse.  Let’s be thankful we have each other.  I know I’m thankful for you! 

We will not be getting back together at the gym yet.  We’re going to get through this COVID-19 pandemic before we do.  I love you too much to put you at risk. 

I hope you’re doing your part to â€œkeep moving” and stay healthy during these unprecedented times we’re going through.  I’m hoping and praying that none of us get this virus and have to deal with it.

Let’s stay calm, focused, healthy, flexible, have faith and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day and make good choices.  Hopefully we’ll be back at the gym together soon.

I love and miss you all!

Dan

P.S.  Please share how you’re doing and what you’re doing to keep moving…pictures and smiles please đŸ˜Š