Friends,
As we prepare to ride the MS Bike ride this coming weekend, my heart continues to go out to those who cannot ride due to their challenges with MS. If you’re one of those people, please know we are all riding for you. It’s you and your challenges with MS that make me and so many more so passionate about raising money and doing what we can to help.
Although we’ve seen so much progress with so many people, we also have some of our friends with MS struggling more now than ever. This is not fair and it really pulls on my heart strings. We will do our best to take pictures and share our ride with you at the gym so you can feel like you’re part of it and see how many teams, individuals and volunteers are doing so much for all of us with MS. We need to be thankful our friends at the Wisconsin chapter of the National MS Society who are working so hard for us living with MS.
We’re making progress but we still have a long way to go in order BEAT THIS THING as John used for the theme of his video. If you want to see his video again or share it with anyone that would appreciate it, here’s link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW-UaOUJCjI
John is up to 411 views now and has raised $13,768.32 so far. Way to go John!
Our Peppy Pedaler’s team is amazing again this year. We have 132 team members, 21 of them have MS and are riding one way or another. Of the 21 people with MS, 5 of them are rookies riding for the first time…this is not going to be easy for any of them. I know what Rick is saying right now…”I love the challenge!” Right Rick? Al is saying “This is my marathon” as he does his first MS ride just 4 days before his 77th birthday. Right Al? Donna is so excited, she’s not letting a broken arm stop her. Shane is saying “This is going to be tough, I hope it doesn’t get too hot” right Shane? Ginger is probably the most scared. Last year she was so inspired at the start line when we all took off that she left the start line and went right to the bike shop and bought a bike hoping she could next year. Well, it’s next year and she finally signed up just a few days ago. Talk about determination and courage working together…amazing! That’s a little update on our five rookies this year.
All the rest of our Peppy Pedaler friends with MS that rode with us in the past are also absolutely amazing. I could write an inspiring story about each person which is certainly worth writing but I’m going to hold off on that, you’d have a book to read. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone together on Saturday morning. Come cheer us on!
How about all our Peppy Pedaler friends that do not have MS and ride with us and for us? I can see why all of us with MS ride; because we have MS. Why do all the rest of our team mates that do not have MS ride? When I reflect on that question and if I’m looking for one common thread, what do you think it is? I asked this Sunday at our ice cream sundae ride and the first comment that came out was “Beer” and then I heard “MS”. The one word that comes to me as a common thread is “Love”. Think about that a bit, isn’t it true in some way? I can’t help to see God’s love being shared in so many ways. We are so blessed to have such an awesome team!
How about all our volunteers? They’re truly amazing as they give so selflessly of themselves to serve all of us riding. This ride wouldn’t be possible without all our incredible volunteers just as our group wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. Again, the common thread is “Love” and we are so blessed to have them in our lives and at this event.
How about our supporters who are making donations to support us on this ride? To me, it’s amazing how generous people are when we share a personal story, let them know what we’re doing, what the cause is, who it will help and ask for support. Do realize our Peppy Pedaler’s team has raised $91,148.24 so far without doing a fund-raising event? To me that’s absolutely amazing and is going to a great cause. The power of love and community.
The National MS Society uses this money wisely for all of us living with MS. They work hard for us and we need to keep supporting them so we can learn more about MS and live a better life with MS and ultimately a cure or learn how to prevent it in the first place. I’m thankful we have the National MS Society funding research and programs for us living with MS so we learn more we can do and try safely. Our Wisconsin Chapter works extremely hard for us…I’m thankful for them.
This past weekend we had our annual ice cream sundae training ride for our team of Peppy Pedalers. Unfortunately, Jerry fell early in the ride and got scraped up and bruised. Fortunately, his helmet saved him from an injury that could have been really bad. He has a cracked rib and lots of road rash and bruising but he’s going to heal up and be ok…so thankful for that!
Other than that, we had a good ride and everyone enjoyed Bonnie’s ice cream sundaes with all kinds of awesome toppings. We all enjoyed it…thanks Bonnie!
We will not be riding @ 7:00am this Friday. We need to rest and get well hydrated for the MS Ride this weekend. We will be at the gym Friday though so come and share the excitement of the ride.
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!
Place: W228N791 Westmound Dr.
Waukesha, WI
When: Wednesday morning from 9:30am – 12:30pm (open gym concept, come for all or part of it)
Friday morning from 9:30 – 12:30pm (open gym concept, come for all or part of it)
Dan Erschen