Friends,
Bryant & Stratton Physical Therapy Assistant students last day
As fortunate as we have been to have the students and leaders with us twice this year, unfortunately, tomorrow is their last day with us. Let’s show our love and appreciation for them. It’s truly a blessing to have them with us.
Thank you to the students and leaders! We will miss you and wish you all the best going forward. Let’s keep in touch!
Fortunately, we will have a new class of students in the spring.
Educational Presentations
We had some interesting, educational, and inspirational presentation the past two Fridays. Two weeks ago, Dr Kate Kern did and excellent presentation on atrophy, the difference between muscle atrophy and neurological atrophy. She did a nice job of educating us on what we can do about it. Let’s put this information to good use in our daily lives.
In my opinion, atrophy with MS can be more debilitating than MS itself. Dr Kern did an excellent job of explaining the difference and encouraging all of us to keep moving and eating healthy to stay ahead of it. Thanks so much Dr Kern for the great presentation!
Last Friday Ricky Heldt put on a really inspirational presentation on electrical stimulation and the progress many of our friends with MS have made with Neubie therapy over the past few years. I’m really thankful Ricky was giving this presentation. There’s no way I could have done it because my eyes were leaking listening to Ricky.
I have to admit that I didn’t even realize so many people were making such dramatic progress with it. A huge THANKS goes out to all our volunteers that invested a LOT of their own time into learning the Neubie, learning about what works and what doesn’t work with our friends with MS on an individual basis. We are so fortunate for all our volunteers…Thank You!
A huge thanks also goes out to all of our friends with MS who have been open minded enough to try the Neubie. This can be a scary thing to do, especially knowing how sensitive our nervous system is as we live with MS. We wouldn’t be able to see people make this progress and share these results if you wouldn’t engage in it consistently. Thank you!
Like Ricky said over and over, we’ve learned a lot in the past few years but we still have LOT to learn about this technology and how to help people with MS with it. Our MS is so different for all of us. I’m thankful we’re making such great progress!
Video Production – Last Wednesday
I’m REALLY excited to see the video that Anne, Chad and Rich will be putting together for us. Thanks to all of working “together” (there’s that powerful word again) on this video shoot. Once I was done being interviewed, I really enjoyed seeing everyone cooperate so well. THANK YOU all for cooperating so well!
We should have a video that tells our story well soon. Thank you Anne, Chad and Rich for working so hard to get the footage and content so well. You all were great to work with and did a really nice job. I really appreciate it!
My E-mail Change
I’m transitioning out of using my Wisconsin Metal Parts e-mail address. Please change my e-mail in your address book to dan.erschen@gmail.com and use that e-mail going forward. Thank you!
Fall Cleaning Thursday morning
Occasionally, we ask for help cleaning the gym thoroughly. Thank you to all who have helped in the past. We usually do this on a weekend day but it seems like weekends are getting really full. That’s a good thing, I love seeing people active and doing things on weekends.
We’re going to see how much cleaning we can get done Thursday morning from 8:00am – noon. We will be moving all machines, mopping and scrubbing floors, cleaning all machines, windows, etc. If you’re available and willing to help, we would appreciate the help.
Craft Fair / Bake Sale
We have many gifted people in our MS-Just Keep Moving Family. If you’re one of those talented and gifted people and would like to sell some of your goods, please let Pam or Bonnie know. We have a small amount of space left.
Mark your calendars! The second annual craft fair will be held at the gym Nov. 22 10:00am – 1:00pm and Nov. 23rd 9:00am – 2:00pm. All proceeds from the bake sale will benefit MS-JKM. Stay tuned for more details in the newsletters. Bakers needed! Questions? Please see Pam or email Bonnie @ bonnie.erschen@gmail.com.
Our MS-Just Keep Moving Open House – November 9th
Our annual Open House will be November 9th. Here’s a flyer with more information. Please plan on coming and please invite anyone who has supported us in the past or would be interested in learning more about us and potentially engaging in / supporting our mission in the future.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
This week, Ed and Adam talked together for a while and then Dr Kate Kern joined them.
Here’s a link:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ava-g4/episodes/Faith-with-Phil-e2pp8fm
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
Member Spotlight – Chuck Scherwinski
Chuck brings his big smile to the gym every time he comes. Despite Chucks challenges with MS through the years, Chuck finds a way to make the best of it. I’m thankful he’s recovering quickly from his shoulder surgery. He’s not letting that slow him down. I love it that Chuck is able to go on active vacations with his kids and grandchildren. That’s important to him.
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 and Fridays to get members on and off equipment. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Wednesdays
8:30am – 9:00am: 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.
10-10:30am: 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:
9:30 – 10:00am: New Class! High intensity interval training (HIIT) body weight circuit class. Great for those who aren’t attending Friday morning bike rides and want to get their heart pumping! Geared to intermediate to advanced ability level. Class may be indoors or outdoors depending on weather. Find Dr Kate at the start of the class time.
10:00 – 10:30 am: Seated balance class
10:30 – 11am: Standing balance classPick 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 Dr Kate at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Ride
Now that we’re in October, every ride is a bonus. We will continue riding until the temperature gets below 45 degrees at 7:00am. If it looks like it will get to 45 degrees during the ride, we’ll still ride. As of now, it looks like we will be able to ride this Friday. Please dress warm.
Last Friday, despite it being a little chilly at the start, we had an awesome ride with amazing people and beautiful fall colors.
THANK YOU to all the volunteers! We’re getting a pretty good rhythm going when we have enough volunteers and we get a little more spread out when we don’t. We need you. Thanks to all for showing up and doing your part!
Educational Sessions
Friday, October 25th 11:00 am – noon: Stress management. Deb Graf, psychotherapist, will lead a presentation and discussion on stress management.
Friday, November 1st 11:00am – 12:00 pm- Matt Panelli will share about his trek up Mount Kilimanjaro he completed in August.
Friday, November 8th 11:00am – 12:00 pm- Jamie Wolfe, nurse practitioner and MS certified nurse at ProHealth, will share with us about resources available to those living with MS from a clinical perspective.
Friday, November 15th 11:00am – 12:00 pm- we will play a pre-recorded webinar hosted by CanDoMS covering “MS Gadgets: How Assistive Technology Can Help You”. Discussion and questions will be facilitated by Kate.
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 Dr Kate, Joan, Traci, Ricky or Dan know.
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 8:00am – 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 from 11:00am – noon.
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 this Friday, October 18th 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 553 members. 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.
There is a sign up board to be used to accommodate your needs for your exercise plan. Some people with spasticity need to be massaged / stretched out before they can exercise. Some people need a massage after a hard workout to loosen up their tight muscles or relieve pain.
We have limited spots for massages, please be considerate of people that need the massage the most in order to do the exercises they need to do or recover from the exercises they just did.
You can pick the time slot that works for you.
Reiki with Linda and Mary Linda and Mary will be here on Fridays doing Reiki. Many people say their Reiki work is “magical”. We’re thankful for Linda and Mary for sharing their gifts and talents with us. Feel free to let them know you’d like to do Reiki with them. They also have 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 and take action.
Let’s keep moving, smiling and loving 😊 It helps!
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
Our Website: http://msjustkeepmoving.org/
P.S. This past week, I was in quite a few different spots with my camera. I’m not sure I have a rhyme or reason for taking the pictures I took. It’s fun to take the camera out with no agenda. This was downtown Pewaukee early in the morning before the sun came up. It’s not a nature picture, it’s something a little different.
After the sun came up that same morning, I was out along Hwy 16 and the moon caught my eye. I went to the next exit, turned around and took this picture. It was like the moon visited Pewaukee.
We had our first hard frost this last week. I was excited to get out there and get some frosty pictures 😊
There’s a lot of beauty in some of the simplest places
This Pelican seemed to be waving to me
I had fun watching the Great Blue Herons again this week. This one did a nice job of catching a bluegill. Unfortunately for the Great Blue Heron, the bluegill got away.
They’re beautiful when they fly.
Early in the morning this time of the year, the fall reflections of the trees make the water orange.
I ran across a butterfly on an evening walk.
It was so nice out Saturday evening, we decided to have a campfire in the fire ring we made last year at Wisconsin Metal Parts.
As the evening went on and the fire went down, it was a peaceful evening.
I got up this morning and it looked like it was going to be a nice sunrise. I went to the Pewaukee Lake boat ramp and took this picture. It was a beautiful morning!
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.
