Friends,
Our Caregivers Retreat was much appreciated
I wasn’t there but here’s a message from Phil:
Last Saturday a dozen caregivers of loved ones with MS broke away for a day to replenish at our first-ever Caregivers Retreat. We held it in the quiet setting of The Redemptorist Retreat Center on Crooked Lake near Oconomowoc. It took no time at all to get to the heart of things. Topics included Greif & Loss, Keeping Love Alive & Awake, Caring for the Caregiver (That’s You), and Stuff that Works (things around home that make life with MS a little easier).
The weather was perfect so after the first session we headed outside for the rest of the day. Respect and encouragement prevailed as we listened, shared, laughed, cried, and sometimes quietly let a new thought soak in.
Post-retreat evaluations tell us the day was a delightful success, and we have our eye on the 2nd Annual Caregivers Retreat sometime next Fall. The group is considering options to include more caregivers of friends with MS in these conversations.
Phil —
I love the resistance to try something new (actually lack of resistance)
We recently had this standing machine donated to us by Waukesha Memorial Hospital…thank you! Many times, when we have an opportunity to try something new, we get a little cautious and hesitant. Not with Suzanne.
We showed the machine to Suzanne, explained to her we’re just learning how to use it and asked her if she wants to give it a try. Without hesitation, Suzanne says “Sure!” with a big smile on her face. A few minutes later, she was standing with it. Thanks for being such a good sport Suzanne!
We now have another way to get people standing. 😊
Tom Holtackers presentation last Friday
It was awesome to have Tom Holtackers share his wisdom and experience about living with MS with us last Friday. Tom’s experience and unending passion to do the best he can living with MS and helping others living with MS is amazing in so many ways. We are so fortunate to have Tom as part of our MS-Just Keep Moving family even though he’s living in Minnesota. Thank you Tom!
Cardio and Balance Programs
Kate will be leading these programs. These classes are aimed to get everyone exercising together. We’ll need help from volunteers before and after the cardio class on Wednesday to get members on and off equipment. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Wednesdays 10-10:30am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
Fridays: balance training and core strengthening
10-10:30 am: seated balance class
10:30 – 11am: standing balance class
Pick the class / classes you feel most able and comfortable participating in. We will have chairs set up to sit on and/or use for balance support.
Email Kate at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Ride
As we get into the fall, we need to be thankful for each week we get to ride together. Unfortunately, we realize our days are numbered and it will soon be too cold to ride. We will be stopping when it hits 45 degrees during our ride.
The weather looks good for this week. Let’s ride!
Let’s leave the parking lot earlier again this week. Come a little early so you can get your bike out of your car and be ready to ride as close to 7:00 as possible. We’ll ride until about 8:45. Let’s ride and have some fun!
Let’s meet Friday morning at 6:45 and be ready to ride by 7:00am at Nettesheim Park in Pewaukee. It’s on the SE corner of Hwy SS and Oak Street. The GPS address is: N26W27495 Prospect Ave, Pewaukee, WI 53072.
Again, for those who wish you could join us but can’t; please know we have you in our hearts on these rides. We’re riding with you and for you. I hope you too can join us someday. We really need to get this MS thing figured out. Let’s keep working on it together.
Our Bryant Stratton PT Assistant students are here on Wednesdays
We all love it when Dr. Sarah Andreucci, Dr McKenzie Dekker, Dr Becky Thomas and the PT Assistant students from Bryant Stratton College join us. They will be joining us on Wednesdays for this next semester. Let’s learn from them and help them learn about MS from us. Thank you so much to Dr Sarah, Dr McKenzie, Dr Becky and all the students!
Educational Sessions
This Friday, September 29th: Inservice led by Kate to members and volunteers regarding exercise programming sheets, where to find them, and how to best exercise with them. 11:00am – noon.
Friday, October 6th – Dr Ahmed Obeidat – 11:00am – noon.
Friday, October 13th: Weight vest tutorial from physical therapists at ProHealth, Waukesha. 11:00am – noon.
Friday, October 20th – To be determined
Friday, November 10th 11:00am – Noon. Mitra Rouhani from Marquette University here to present on Red Light Therapy
Future topics could include: emotional health, nutrition, yoga, tai chi, wellness topics, safe use of gym equipment for your body, best exercise for you and more. What topics would you like to see? Please let Joan, Traci, Ricky or Dan know
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 9:00am – noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings at the gym. I hope you’ll join us!
Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
Prayer Group We’ll be having our prayer group Wednesday @ 11:00am.
I just love the way we share, pray and laugh together while we witness prayers being answered weekly. It’s truly amazing!
Thanks goes to God and to everyone that joins us. Let’s get together to share, listen, talk, give thanks, and pray however God leads us.
MS Just Keep Caring – Our Caregivers support group will be the first and third Friday of each month from 10:00 – 10:30am. The next one will be Friday, October 6th. If you’re a caregiver of someone you love with MS, please join us and share your experience of caring for your loved one. This has been very helpful for many. Thanks to all who participate!
Our Facebook page is private. That means you’ll need to join if you want access to all our fun and progress. We’re now up to 423 members. That’s awesome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709
Our Facebook page is very active and fun. Lots of people are doing more and sharing their journey on Facebook. Feel free to join, post and share your experiences and comments.
There were some awesome pictures, videos and comments shared again this past week. Thank you to all who are sharing!
Thai Massage with Ricky Heldt
Ricky will be here Wednesday and Friday doing Thai Massage.
Many continue making great progress with chronic pain relief, range of motion, walking better and a new sense of hope when Ricky works with them. Please keep in mind that consistency is key. Not only with Ricky…with exercise too. We need consistency to realize the benefits long term. We want you to have long term benefits and relief.
Ricky has a sign up board based on first come first serve. You can pick the time slot that works for you. I highly encourage you to take advantage of Ricky’s Thai Massages each day and sign up for your time slot as soon as you get there.
Reiki with Linda Linda will be here on Fridays doing Reiki. Many people say Linda’s Reiki work is “magical”. We’re thankful for Linda sharing her gifts and talents with us. Feel free to let Linda know you’d like to do Reiki with her. She also has a sign up sheet.
Inspirational Humor with Adam Wollert
We’ll be having our inspirational humor zoom call with Adam again next Tuesday. Adam is a gift to all of us. Thanks to all who joined us today!
Please join us if you can.
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
Let’s reach out
I encourage you to share a smile and encouragement with someone. Perhaps you could call someone that you have not talked with for a while just to say hi and see how they are doing. We all could use a little extra love and encouragement.
MS is tough. Let us have faith, remain calm, be flexible, help each other and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day as we make good choices.
Let’s keep moving and smiling 😊
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
P.S. This past week was another beautiful fall week in Wisconsin. I was able to capture just a little bit of the beauty and share it with you. We have a maple tree in our yard that the leaves are very orange / red.
Here’s a little closer look after the rain today😊
Did you know the water bubbles up more on the bottom of maple leaves than the top when it rains? I just discovered that today.
I went for a walk with Cal yesterday at Lapham Peak. We saw all kids of fall colors.
And shapes
Some were just simple…I like simple 😊
Some were interesting
Some were simple and colorful
We saw a couple critters too…like this squirrel
And this little finch
Sunday evening, I was able to enjoy a nice sunset on Pewaukee Lake. It was peaceful and pleasant.
For those who can’t get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I’m out there. I enjoy being out there and I also enjoy sharing with you. I know how hard it is not to be able to get out and enjoy nature. Let’s enjoy nature and God’s beauty together this way.