Friends,   

I’m getting a lot of questions about when the gym is going to open back up and what does that look like?  I know, we all miss it and we miss each other.  I’m still watching the COVID numbers and they’re just not stabilizing.  I was hoping this mask mandate would have helped the numbers go down and stay down.  That doesn’t seem to be true as of yet and we’re a month into it.  Let’s face it, this is a highly contagious virus and we need to respect it as that.

With that being said, it’s been too long since we’ve been able to get together and we need to get creative on how we’re going to get together safely.  Keep in mind that MS is tough enough.  COVID on top of MS could be a bad combination.  I also look at the mental and physical health effects of being isolated.  We know that’s not good for us living with MS.  Our world with MS gets small enough without being isolated.  We need friends who get what we’re living with and we need to keep moving.

We finally have a break in the heat coming and I’m thinking we should take advantage of that by getting together outside in the parking lot.  We’ll do our part of physical distancing and get people moving.  If anyone has a fever, COVID symptoms or has recently been exposed to COVID, we would ask that you do not come until all symptoms are gone.  We could move some of the easier to move machines outside and also do stretching, balance work, and our own body weight exercises along with walking and riding bikes along with anything else that makes sense.

Before we do that, I’d like to get an idea of who would feel safe enough to come and willing to come.  I’d like to hear from volunteers and from people with MS that would be willing to come.  Keep in mind that we are a vulnerable group of people that probably wouldn’t handle COVID on top of MS real well. 

We’ve been doing very well with it at our Friday morning bike rides.  People have been very respectful of the virus and of each other.  We allow each other space for physical distancing and I haven’t heard any coughing or sneezing.  I feel we’re getting together very safely and doing our part on a personal basis.

If you’d be interested in joining us for an outside setting, please respond to this e-mail and let me know so we know how many people to plan for and the accommodations we’ll need to put in place.  I’ll need to know who’s willing to volunteer as well.  Depending upon the level of interest, we’ll put a plan together.  It’s time we respect the virus yet get back together safely, even if it’s a little differently.

Have you been to our MS-Just Keep Moving website lately?  Cal and Mike made some more videos and have them posted out there.  I spent quite a bit of time watching them the other night and it definitely motivated me to start getting people back together.  There’s just too much good that comes from our time together.  Here’s a link to some of the videos.  http://msjustkeepmoving.org/videos/  Feel free to have some fun watching them.

Do you want to ride bike with us?  Please join us at 7:00am Friday morning at Nettesheim Park on the SE corner of Hwy SS and Oak Street in Pewaukee.  We’ll ride together on Friday mornings until it gets too cold this fall.  If you need me to bring a trike or two, please let me know. 

Let’s keep riding! 😊

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!  😊

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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Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acej2eGAIM

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 “keep 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

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