Friends,

It seems like we all knew someone at or in the parade in Waukesha Sunday.  Please know that all people affected are in my prayers.  It’s so tragic.  I hope you and your loved ones are ok.  This was a terrible and devastating event for so many people.  My heart goes out to all who have been affected.  I wasn’t even there and I have certainly been affected.  Prayers are needed.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year.  It’s a holiday that we consiously reflect on our loved ones, blessings and many things we have in our life to be thankful for.  I’m thankful for you!  The past couple years seem to have been distracting enough that people tend to focus on the challenges in this world rather than the good.  The good is still there.

Please join me this Thanksgiving season in looking for the good in people, the blessings in our lives and giving thanks.  Despite all the challenges, when we get right down to the basics, we have so much to be thankful for.  I hope you’ll join me in giving thanks.  Happy Thanksgiving!

As many of you know, Nancy has been working really hard this year on the Nu-Step machine.  She was doing this because she wanted to go to Texas for a class reuinion with a regular wheel chair instead of her electric wheel chair.  She was able to do that last month.  I was so happy for her.

Last Friday, Nancy surprised herself as well as all of us.  She stood up out of her wheel chair all by herself and stood really straight.  She did it 4 or 5 times.  I don’t know how long it’s been since Nancy has done this but I know it’s been lots of years.  Totally amazing!

Nice job Nancy!  Your hard work on the Nu Step is translating into stronger legs and being able to stand.  😊  Let’s hope your progress continues.

Do you ever struggle with mucle fatigue and pain?  Most of us with MS do…in a big way.  We have an opportunity to participate in a study for muscle fatigue with Dr Ng and his associates at Marquette University.  I’ve attached a flyer with more information.  Here’s a note from Mitra.

Hello Dan, 

This is Mitra From Dr. Ng’s Lab, Marquette University. I hope you are doing well.

I’m reaching out to tell you about a new study at our lab, and was wondering if you would be able to share it with others. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of muscle fatigue and pain in participants with and without MS. This study involves measurements of clinical and muscle function in 3 visits to Marquette university.  I have attached our study flyer to this email for your reference, and would be happy to give you more information about this study or field any questions you may have.

 All the best,
Mitra Rouhani
E-mail:  mitra.rouhani@marquette.edu

Please reach out to Mitra directly if you’re willing to do this.  I would highly encourage you to do it if you’re able to.  Dr Ng and Marquette University always put a lot into their studies and provide valuable information for us living with MS.  They need for us to participate.

Ricky Heldt would like to start another program for us living with MS – for free – on mindfulness.  What is mindfulness?  Feel free to ask Ricky about it when you’re here on Wednesday or Friday.  I hope you’ll give it a try.  Here’s a message from Ricky about it:

Mindfulness Mondays
A Free Online Class and Discussion

Have you ever been curious about Mindfulness?  You can achieve significant health benefits from practicing mindfulness on a regular basis.  Join us for a free 20-30 minute Mindfulness activity & discussion every Monday at 1pm Central Time on Google Meet starting December 13th.  Email Ricky at openlotusyoga@yahoo.com to sign up or login at class time here:  meet.google.com/xtt-efzm-hqo

For all of you who weren’t able to make it to our open house, we now have some videos available for you.  I know how hard it is for some people to get out of the house as you live with MS.  Please know that my heart goes out to you and that you are a big reason why we’re doing all we’re doing.  We want to learn and share as much as we possibly can about MS…together.

Here are links to some of the videos:

Please feel free to share these videos with anyone you feel would benefit from them.

If you know anyone that would be willing to make a tax deductible donation to our 501 (c)(3) non profit “MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.” they can do it by:

MS – Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Dr
Waukesha, WI  53186

Any donations would be greatly appreciated and put to good use as we go forward.

Shelley has created a new Facebook page to help us all stay connected.  We’re now up to 113 members.  That’s another 5 more than last week. 😊  That’s awesome…our community continues to grow.  Have you joined yet?  There are some fun pictures and comments out there.  I’m not a Facebook person so contact Shelley if you have any questions.  Here’s Shelley’s message about our new Facebook Page.

We have a new Facebook page!  Follow this link to check it out https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709 or you can search MS Just Keep Moving on Facebook.  All are welcome to post and comment.  Let’s keep things positive, upbeat and use this as another tool to stay connected and up to date. The page will be updated weekly with comments, pictures and updates.  Feel free to tag the group with posts from your own page as well. 

Many of you were asking if we’ll be open this Wednesday and Friday.  The answer is yes.  I’m guessing people will be eating a lot on Thanksgiving so we’ll need to prepare for it by working out on Wednesday and then getting back together on Friday to work it off.  We all need to keep moving, especially after a full belly.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

We’ll be getting together again from 9:00am – noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings at the gym.

Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186

We realize the virus is not gone yet.  In fact, the numbers are very concerning again.  Many of us have either had COVID or have been vaccinated or both.  With the numbers going up, we have more people wearing masks again.  Thank you for doing that!

At this time, we’re leaving wearing a mask up to you to make good choices although I’m highly encouraging it.  If you have concerns, please wear a mask.  Either way, please be respectful.  Thank you for being so understanding, cooperative and respectful through this entire pandemic.  I wish we didn’t have to worry about it but it’s reality at this time.

One of the most important things you can do is to stay home if you have any symptoms or know you’ve been exposed to someone with the virus.  Please don’t come until your symptoms go away.  Let’s also give each other some space when talking to one another and continue wiping the machines down before and after you use them with disinfectant.  Let’s stay safe!

Ricky Heldt will be here on Wednesday and Friday again this week doing Tai Massage.  Many of you have reported making great progress with chronic pain relief, range of motion, walking better and a new sense of hope when Ricky does his magic to you.  Please keep in mind that consistency is key.  We need consistency to realize the benefits long term.  That’s why we’re having Ricky here both Wednesday and Friday mornings.  We want you to have long term relief.  Ricky will have a sign up sheet based on first come first served.  You can pick the time slot that works for you.  I highly encourage you to take advantage of Ricky’s Tai Massages each day and sign up for your time slot as soon as you get there.

We will be having our prayer group in person again this Wednesday @ 11:00am.  At this time, we will not be doing our zoom prayer group since nobody has been logging on lately.  If you’d like to join us via zoom, please let me know ahead of time and we’ll start it back up for you.

I just love the way we share, pray together and witness prayers being answered weekly.  Thanks goes to God and to everyone that joins us.

Let’s get together and share, listen, talk, give thanks and pray however God leads us.

We had another fun inspirational humor call with Adam this afternoon.  Thanks to all who joined us.  We’ll be doing it again next Tuesday.  Please join us if you can…thank you!

Inspirational Humor with Adam Wollert
Tuesdays @ 1:30PM
Here’s the link to join us…I hope you do!
Join Zoom Meeting with this link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9431389152?pwd=bWlYbFNaazVnM1M1cWxWMitlODdXUT09

Meeting ID: 943 138 9152
Passcode: 3qP2hu
Phone:   1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 943 138 9152

I encourage you to share a smile with someone.  Perhaps you could call someone that you haven’t talked with for a while just to say hi and see how they’re doing.  We all could use a little extra love and encouragement during these times.

MS is tough.  Let’s stay calm, focused, healthy, flexible, have faith and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day as we make good choices.  Better days are ahead.

In God We Trust!
Dan

http://msjustkeepmoving.org/