Friends,
Once again…I’m amazed!
It amazes me each week when I see all the things happen that I never dreamt would happen when we started this mission of helping people with MS. Last week was another great example of so many people making the best of their challenges and life with MS in so many different ways.
Standing balance class moved outside
What we can do to improve balance is a challenge. So many of us have challenges with balance, especially when our MS symptoms flare up or we’re fatigued. Our risk of falling is increased dramatically. Even though the ground will catch us, we want to avoid falls as much as we possibly can. Falls hurt and even be life altering in so many ways.
I’m really pleased that so many people are engaging in Dr Kate’s balance classes and actually trying to do something about our balance challenges. It was great to see so many people enjoying the nice weather outside last Friday and working on your balance “together”. I love the one legged smile trick 😊
Mitch Adam’s presentation last Friday
Mitch Adam from Marquette University gave a great presentation last Friday about the history of living with MS and exercise along with a study on balance he’s leading. I found it amazing how research has proved exercise to be so beneficial through the years. It was just the opposite prior to recent studies. People were told not to exercise. I’m so thankful for research that we can put to use now. To me, this is some of the most promising research being done. If you’d like to engage in Mitch’s research project on high intensity interval training for balance on a tread mill that moves back and forth sideways to trip you up. Thanks Mitch for the great presentation! I hope your research project provides promising results for all of living with MS.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed both have daughters named Ava. Now who would have thought two people with MS that are doing podcasts together would both have daughters named Ava? Both Ava’s met for the first time on this podcast and shared what it’s like from a daughter’s perspective having a parent with MS. You’ll want to be sure to listen to this one. Here’s a link.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ava-g4/episodes/Ava-Squared-Takeover-e2j4i70
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
What’s Betsy up to these days?
I was fortunate enough to get an e-mail from Betsy’s husband Chris over the weekend. Most of us remember when Betsy came to the gym for the first time shortly after getting her diagnosis of having MS.
Betsy was running to stay ahead of her MS. Well, Betsy and her family moved to Flagstaff Arizona and Betsy is still running. Her husband Chris let me know that she wants to be the first person that runs all the way across the United States with MS in 2025. Amazing!
Her husband Chris is a great writer, listener and researcher in addition to other things including supporting Betsy on this journey of living with MS and running across the country. He’s writing a blog about Betsy’s journey. I spoke with Chris and Betsy on Sunday and Chris wrote a blog about Betsy first coming to our gym along with some other blogs. I would encourage you to read them and follow Betsy’s progress as she trains for this, plans for it and does it. When she runs through Wisconsin, perhaps we can cheer her on and join her in some way. I’m so thankful they are keeping in touch and allowing us to share their journey with them. Thanks Betsy and Chris!
Here’s a link to the blog Chris is writing for Betsy. https://www.betsyrunsuswithms.com/post/discomfort-as-a-catalyst-for-growth
Be sure to check out the rest of their website, blogs, etc.
Who’s making progress?
Amy continues to work hard not only for herself but for all of us living with MS as she and her friends and family did the MS walk raisng funds for the National MS Society for all of us. Thank you Amy and well done! I love the picture of you and your team.
Bike MS – National MS Society
Now that we have weather for bike riding, it’s time we start getting ready for the MS Bike ride that the National MS Society puts on each year. This will be my 19th consecutive year of riding this ride. I typically ride 150 – 200 miles over the two day ride. This is a fundraiser to support the research and programs that the National MS Society funds for all of us living with MS.
Our MS-Just Keep Moving family has many people on many teams for this ride. You are encouraged to join any of the teams with people from our gym. The National MS Society is very good at making connections. Many of us met at the Bike MS events through the years and have become friends ever since. I hope you’ll consider joining one of our teams or suppporting us in some way. It’s critical we support the National MS Society’s mission to stop MS in it’s tracks and find a cure for MS.
Here’s a link for information about the ride. Dates, location, costs, etc.
https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1957
Here’s link to join our Peppy Pedaler’s Team if you’d like to join our team.
https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=52595
Here’s link to my personal page of you’d be willing support me on this ride. I’ll be personalizing this page in the near future.
Golf Outing Friday, June 7th!
We are extremely fortunate that ePlatinum Health will be putting on a golf outing for us again this year. A huge thank you goes out to Jeff, Frank, Katie and the entire ePlatinum Health team.
Great news! All the sponsor spots, golfer spots and volunteer spots are full. Amazing! We are so blessed. A huge thank you goes out to everyone that is helping and supporting us in some way. Unfortunately, we had 12 more golfers that we didn’t have room for. Hopefully they will consider signing up earlier next year. I’m really sorry we couldn’t get you in this year.
Our donations donations for the silent auction and raffles are coming in nicely. A huge thank you goes out to all who solicted them and to all who have donated. We want to give the golfers a great experience. We do however, still need more donations. Would you be willing help gather donations? We could really use your help.
There is a sign up sheet at the gym with a list of items we’re hoping to get for the silent auction and raffle items. If you’re willing and able, please sign your name by a few things you’re willing to do or get for us. If you have other ideas, that’s awesome! We’d love to hear them.
When you bring the donations in, please put them in the fireplace room on the table marked “Donation Drop Off” and fill out the sheet with what the donation is and who it’s from.
It’s really important to us that we properly thank people for the donations. They are much appreciated!
Yoga Moves MS
Have you heard of Yoga Moves MS in Michigan? Here’s a link to their website https://www.yogamovesms.org/
They’re a group doing wonderful things with people with MS and for people with MS in Michigan and virtually online. They also put on really good educational programs for people with MS. They are in person and online. There is one event tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8th. You can find out more information and sign up for them on their website.
We are hoping to get their MS family in Michigan to engage in our Day of Endurance journey in Michigan next year. Let’s build relationships with them and their friends with MS.
I would encourage you to attend their programs or join them virtually. Again, here’s a link to their website for more information. https://www.yogamovesms.org/
Thanks Mindy and team for all you’re doing for all of us living with MS!
Cal and Chrissy’s Mission trip is coming up.
There’s a box under the white table at the gym for donations to take along. If you’re willing to contribute, here’s a list of items wanted:
- Coloring books
- 8packs of crayons
- Small parachutes (10 or 12 ft)
- Small, light frisbees or flying rings (hole in the middle)
- 15 deflated soccer balls
- 15 deflated small playground balls
Day of Endurance 2024 – August 24, 2024
The board at the gym is starting to show some exciting progress. Please check it out.
Consistency is key. Let’s exercise everyday. It’s the gradual, consistency that our bodies will adapt to over time. Let’s do one long workout per week so we can appreciate that we are making progress each week. Kate can certainly help you with a program based on your abilities. Please feel free to reach out to her.
It’s really important that we’re active and we enjoy the journey of training for the Day of Endurance…preferably “together”. I hope you can find some workout friends to enjoy this journey with. It can be others with MS, friends, neighbors, family members, movie stars, it doesn’t matter. It really only takes one other person to have show up and do whatever you’re going to do each day. You can pick different people different days.
Let’s make this a recreational adventure. A social adventure. A rewarding experience. And… “share” it. So, let’s start inviting friends and family members to join us on this journey and have some fun with it.
Please share your progress with Kate. Kate and Mike are working together to create a way to share our progress all year. I hope you’ll engage in the journey and make progress yourself.
Cardio and Balance Programs
These classes are aimed to get everyone exercising together. I like that word “together” 😊. We’ll need help from volunteers before and after the cardio class on Wednesdays 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.
10:30 – 11:00am Tai Chi led by Ricky
Fridays: Head Yoga, Spin Classes, balance training & Core strengthening Classes
9:30am – 10:00am: Head yoga led by Anne Prestwor in the fireplace room.
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
It looks like we’re finally getting warm enough weather for riding Friday morning. Let’s ride! We had 13 people with MS and 8 people without MS show up for our first ride last Friday. It was an awesome ride!
We have more riders than we have trikes this year so we’re going to have to be creative in order to get eveyone riding. I’ll be sending a separate e-mail to those riding trikes. Please respond to the e-mail so we can plan accordingly.
We’ll be meeting Friday morning at 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.
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!
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.
Educational Sessions
Friday, May 17th 11:00am – noon. Dr Kate Kern
Dr Kate Kern will be reviewing a study done with Omega 3’s and people with MS.
Friday, May 24th 11:00am – noon. Dr Jon Stevenson – Chiropractor with Strive Integrative Health in Brookfield.
Dr Jon and his team at Strive are having great success with neuropathy and other central nervous system disorders. Dr Jon will be presenting on different protocols they are experiencing success with patients. He will be available for questions and answers.
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 Kate, 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, May 17th 2024. 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 at 504 members. We finally broke 500…That’s awesome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709
Our Facebook page is 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 on Wednesdays doing Thai Massage. Ricky will be taking Fridays off for a while. Perhaps through the summer.
Ricky has a sign up board based on first come first serve. You can pick the time slot that works for you.
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’s 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, smiling and loving 😊 It helps!
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
P.S. I had a little fun with the camera again this week. I learned something about cardinals. I saw it happen twice and told Bonnie about it so she did some research and we learned that the male cardinal feeds the female cardinal when he’s courting her.
Did you know that? I didn’t. It’s always fun to learn their patterns and get a better understanding of what’s going on. Interesting.
There are lots of colors and critters out in nature these days. They all seem pretty active.
Do you ever go moral picking? If you do, you know they’re only out for a few days. They’re out right now so you better get out there and get some if you want some. We found a few and ate them last night and tonight for dinner…yum!
It’s fun to try to get pictures of birds flying. Usually, you just have to be patient and watch them for a while and then try to guess when they’re going to fly. If you watch them long enough and miss enough shots, you kind of learn their little head nods or twitches before they fly. I was lucky enough to catch this bluejay taking off.
And this red breasted woodpecker. For some reason, I really like this shot. Again, another lucky shot.
I’ve been having fun watching the squirrels in our backyard. This one was enjoying the water in the birdbath.
And when he had enough, he was out of there. Off to the picnic table 😊
This Momma squirrel was enjoying some corn. I wonder when I’ll see her babies.
I know you have seen enough of my turkey pictures but this one had some nice backlighting. I thought it was worth sharing.
Here’s one more for your viewing pleasure😊
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.