Friends,
I hope you and your family survived the flooding without too much loss. Wow! Quite the storms lately. I feel so bad for all those affected.
Fayth Caruso this Friday – will be zoom
Unfortunately, Fayth Caruso had to cancel coming here in person on Friday. She will try to reschedule in the spring. Hopefully, we’re all doing much better on the trampolines by then and with our MS and life as a whole.
Fayth is still offering to zoom in with us on Friday. We will take her up on that offer and try to get as many people engaged with her and rebounding as if she were here in person. Please be ready to focus on balance and bouncing with Fayth Friday from 11:00am – noon. It will be fun, educational and beneficial.
Let’s Dance!
Dancing has so many good and healthy elements for all of us living with MS. Dr Alex Ng from Marquette University has proven this through some of his studies which include many of our friends with MS and their loved ones.
Dr Ng and Jessica Fastabend are creating some more dance opportunities for us living with MS. Here’s a message from Jessica. I highly encourage you to engage in this!
Good afternoon everyone!
I hope each of you has been enjoying your summer. We are bringing back social dance class series in August.
Dates: 8/13, 8/21 and 8/27
Time: 6p.m.-7p.m.
Location: Casa Collective Studios 21415 W Greenfield Ave, New Berlin, WI 53146
Cost: Pay what you can.
Let us know you are coming by signing up HERE. Pre-registration is not required but highly recommended.
There is ample accessible parking near the studio entrance. If you have any questions you can refer to our FAQ’s or reach out to me at any time.
I look forward to dancing with you soon.
Sincerely,
Jessica Fastabend
Community Education Director
414.277.8480 x6005
1661 N. Water Street | Milwaukee WI 53202
Day of Endurance Excitement – Saturday, August 23rd 2025
We are getting closer! Only 1 more week from this Saturday! It is coming right up…I am getting excited and a little anxious. I hope we all have an amazing day. 😊 I’m glad we’re getting the storms out of our system now. Hopefully, we have excellent weather.
We have a volunteer sign-up sheet. If you are willing to volunteer and help us out, please sign up here and let us know what you are willing to do, times you are available, etc. Volunteers DOE 2025.docx Our goal is to keep everyone safe and to not have anyone swimming, kayaking, rolling, biking, walking, bouncing, etc. alone.
Here are the links with more info:
Park Pass: Be sure you get your park pass for Naga-Waukee Park for August 23, 2025 if you are going to come in a vehicle. You cannot get a park pass at the park. You either need to get it online at this link or go to the Waukesha County Courthouse – Park and Rec office. If you have any questions about the park pass, you can call 262-548-7801
Dishes to pass: In order to keep our costs down and have a great day together, we are asking people to bring a dish to pass. We want to be able to eat together all day 😊. There is a sign-up sheet at the gym for this. Here is what is on the sign-up sheet so far, as of today.
If you did not get your Day of Endurance T-shirt yet, you can get one when you’re at the gym. We highly encourage everyone with MS, their family and friends, our volunteers, and supporters to join us.
It is great to hear training is going well for so many people. I know new people do not quite know what to expect but it seems like everyone that has done it in the past is excited. Please keep in mind that if you do better, do more or do something in addition to what you did last year, you get to bang on the gong. I am hoping we hear the gong go off all day.
We will be offering two more modes of movement this year. Kayaking and Rebounding. If you want to kayak, please let Chrissy know. We will be kayaking from 6:00am – 8:00am and need to be at the picnic area for the National Anthem and a few words of gratitude and encouragement at 8:45am. The rebounding will be available after we get started with our events at 9:00am.
Let’s make this journey and experience the best yet and have some fun…together.
Endurance Walking Opportunities
Walking is a very functional and sought after level of mobility for all of us living with MS. For those who cannot walk, my heart is with you. I do not forget for a minute the days I could not walk and I have you in mind on each walk. I wish we had quicker ways to get people who cannot walk, walking. Let’s keep working at it.
For those who can walk, let’s focus on keeping our walking abilities and try to improve upon them.
Our endurance walking group is training for the Day of Endurance. These are on Thursday mornings starting @ 6:00am.
Last Thursday, Joan, Pam and I had a tough walk. It was hot and humid. We set out to do 15 miles but didn’t quite make it. We were starting to get dehydrated and starting to feel nauseous so decided to stop at 14 miles. Could have we made it that extra mile? We probably could have but we made a good choice by listening to our bodies and stopping when we did. We were happy with the 14 miles we did.
We saw a nice buck along the tree line.
A mommy turkey and a chick flew up into a tree when we went past them.
Even if you can only walk a few steps, I would highly encourage you to try to walk a few steps each day and then one long walk per week – whatever that distance is for you. Consistency is key.
We are walking different segments of the Lake Country Trail. Whether you have MS, are a family member or friend, a volunteer, etc. if you want to join us, please let me know and I will include you in the communication of where we will be walking. We are hoping to gradually build up from 7 miles to 15-18 miles as we train for the Day of Endurance on August 23rd.
If you want to join us at a shorter distance, we will look back at whatever distance you’d like to walk or we can meet up with you a little later if you want to join us for a while. I would encourage you to start where you are and gradually make progress like we are. I hope you’ll join us. We do it early to beat the heat and get it done as early in the day as we can.
Nutrition Program
This week Janine discussed why seasonal and local food is beneficial and important.
Here is the nutrition link for this week.
MS 2025.08.11 Seasonal and Local.pdf
Janine puts a lot into these presentations. It’s wonderful for her to share these presentations with those who can’t be here. It’s even more impactful for people who can be here in person to get the information first hand and be able to get questions answered and learn from others living with MS.
I would highly encourage you to engage in our nutrition program Monday mornings @ 9:00am so you can benefit at a high level. All are encouraged to come; people with MS, loved ones, care takers, volunteers, etc.
Thank you Janine!
Metals for MS
Thank you to all who brought in aluminum cans, gutters, copper, etc. Please keep bringing them in…you are helping us.
Parking
If there are able-bodied people willing to park across the street in the Acuity lot so people with mobility challenges can park in our lot, please do so. We want to make it easy for people with mobility challenges to park and get into our building safely. Thank you for doing that!
Gym Open and Close Procedure
If you’re the first to come or the last to leave the gym, please use this procedure for opening and shutting down.
Open and closedown procedures.docx
Member Spotlight – Chrissy Aukofer
Chrissy is not only accomplishing amazing feats; she also brings much fun and love to the gym. Great work Chrissy!
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed had a random conversation with each other…enjoy!
Here’s the link:
Being Random with Adam and Ed by Positive Vibes Living with MS
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 8:00am – noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at the gym. Plus, Monday evenings from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and Tuesday afternoons for the aquatics program. I hope you’ll join us!
Where:
Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
Exercise 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…friends with MS, volunteers, and caregivers.
Monday Mornings
8:00am – Rebounding Class
9:00am – Nutrition Program – Friends with MS, caretakers and volunteers are encouraged to engage. Here’s last week’s presentation:
Nutrition link: MS 2025.08.11 Seasonal and Local.pdf
Monday evenings (open from 4:00pm – 7:00pm)
5:00 pm: High intensity interval training (HIIT)
5:30 pm: Standing balance
6:00 pm: Seated balance
Tuesday afternoons
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Aquatic exercise program held at Wildwood Lodge – Pewaukee
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Aquatic exercise program held at Wildwood Lodge – Pewaukee
Wildwood Lodge has a lift available to get people in wheelchairs in and out of the pool safely
Wednesdays
8:00am – Rebounding Class
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.
9:30am – 10:00am: Seated Balance
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.
10:30am – 11:00am: Seated / Standing Stretching Class
Fridays:
7:00 – 8:45am: Bike Ride from Nettesheim Park – Pewaukee – see address below
9:30 – 10:00am: 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 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 Dr Kate Kern at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Rides
Please note that there is construction on Hwy SS. There will also be detour signs. You will have to either come in from the route we usually ride by the lake or from the west. Please leave your home early and allow a little more time for the construction detour.
We had a nice ride together again last week. We could use a few more volunteers on two wheel bikes. Some of our volunteers are on vacation and we want that for everyone. If you’re able to join us, I hope you’ll join us this week.
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 7:00am 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, August 15th Fayth Caruso from Bellicon will zoom in with us and work on balance and cardio with us. Fayth will answer any questions you may have about rebounding, the benefits of it, how to get started, experiences she’s had as a master trainer, etc.
Friday, August 22nd 11:00 – 12:00pm Pack up for Day of Endurance
Friday, August 29th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Come sing with us! Join a fun, informal group singing session, mixed with vocal and respiratory exercises. The session will be led by speech therapist Evelyn Pollock, a former professional singer. No need to know how to read music — all the songs will be ‘oldies but goodies!’ Please bring your instrument if you’d like to strum along! Later this year, she and her colleague Dr. Alex Ng of Marquette University will be studying the effects of group singing on the breathing, voicing, and socio-emotional well-being of adults with MS.
Friday, September 5th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Come learn some simple strategies for dealing with persistent swelling in your legs. Lymphedema can be managed. JoAnn Schmitz is an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist at ProHealth in Mukwonago who would like to give you some tools to help you in this area.
Friday, September 12th, 11:00 – 12:00pm: Kim and Emily are both MS certified physical therapists that currently work in the outpatient physical therapy department at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. They will talk about the balance triad and how this plays a large role in dizziness and imbalance with mobility.
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.
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, August 15th, 2025. 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 644 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 and Nyani
Ricky will be here on Wednesdays doing Thai Massage.
Nyani will be here on Fridays doing Thai Massage
Our goal is to serve as many people who come to the gym consistently as we can with these Thai Massage services. Going forward we will be doing a rotational schedule to accommodate as many people as we can who need and want a massage.
There are some guidelines written up at the gym. Please respect the guidelines so we can serve as many people as we can. Please sign up according to the guidelines.
Here’s a link to the guidelines: Thai Massage at MS-Just Keep Moving
Reiki on Wednesdays and Fridays
Reiki is available at the gym, for FREE, on Wednesdays (Mary B, Jill K) and on Fridays (Linda C and Mary R), 9:30am until noon. Sessions typically last 20-30 minutes. Sign up for a session on the white board.
Reiki (ray-Kee) relaxes the body so that healing can occur! The “magic” of Reiki has helped some of our members with pain, insomnia, constipation, and so much more! Try it the next time you are at the gym!
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. I found some beautiful sunflowers this week with a lot of life on them.
The finches seemed really happy on them.
When the flowers start drooping, they love eating the seeds
They sure are colorful
The bees sure love them too
Some have different colors
This one’s just starting to bloom.
It’s been a while since I saw a true red-headed woodpecker. I finally saw another one this weekend.
Here’s a ground hog we had in our backyard Monday evening.
And here’s a hawk that was watching over the ground hog
The hawk was trying to catch the ground hound. I know, it’s not the sharpest picture but I still like it.
And here’s another monarch butterfly to enjoy
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.
