Friends,
Do you have cognitive challenges with MS, loss of passion, or are bummed or frustrated about having to live with MS?
This Friday evening from 5:00pm – 6:00pm, we have Bryanna Bruger, a neuropsychologist working at Aurora Health Care here to talk to us about mental health. I hope you will join us and benefit from Byanna in some way. Caregivers and volunteers are also encouraged to come.
After Bryanna’s presentation, we will be having a game night just for fun. I hope you will join us for Bryanna, the game night, or both. Here’s some information about game night:
Our Bake / Craft Sale is coming up quickly
If you’re willing to bake something for the bake sale, we would appreciate it. Please bring your baked goods in individually wrapped and ready for sale Tuesday afternoon 12/2 or Wednesday morning 12/3.
If you’re willing to support us during the bake / craft sale, please bring cash or check. Most of our vendors do not take credit cards.
How to Fall
We were fortunate to have Joy Cochran, PT, DPT Founder & Owner of Joy Explorations here last Wednesday to teach us how to fall.
At first, I thought falls happen quickly, it is hard to know we are going to fall. When Joy broke down each stage of a fall and showed us we can turn each phase into an exercise to prepare us to fall safely, it made a lot more sense. Who would have thought falling properly could be exercises we can work at? Brilliant!
After Joy demonstrated how each phase of a fall works and what we can do to practice it, it was interesting to watch some of our friends with MS who fall regularly fall safely and get back up. These exercises not only help us fall safely; they help us prevent falls in the first place.
Through the years, we learned that falls can be very life changing for us as we live with MS. We can work for years to get to the mobility level we are at. A fall with an injury can set us back many years. We really want to prevent falls and if we do fall, we want to do it safely so we do not get injured. Let’s incorporate what Joy taught us into our daily lives and get better at falling safely if we do fall.
Thank you, Joy, for coming and doing such a great presentation! I have no doubt you have saved some of our friends with MS some falls and injuries already. Well done!
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee PT Students visit
Last Friday, we had 16 – 18 UWM Physical Therapy Students visit us and learn about life with MS and what we are doing to help people live with it. By the time they left, I think they had a better understanding of how MS affects people so differently. I think they also learned that there is a lot we can do to stay ahead of our MS.
I think they also realized how hard we work to stay ahead of it and the hard work can be fun. They joined in on one of our rebounding classes. It seemed to be challenging for them and Fun. 😊 It was fun for me to see people on 16 rebounders at once enjoying their time here together.
Alex Pier from Tactile Medical https://tactilemedical.com/our-lymphedema-solutions/for-the-lower-body/nimbl-for-lower-body/
We have been having such good results from the intermittent pneumatic leg compression device along with elevation, movement, and deep breathing lately. Alex brought out two different types of pneumatic leg compression devices and showed us how they work and how effective they are.
Alex did a great job explaining what’s going on with the lymphatic system with this process and why it works so effectively. Thanks Alex! Thanks also to Marlene and Rick for being such good sports and allowing Alex to put these on you to demo them for us.
How did Rick do last week?
You know, it’s really good to have Rick back consistently again and see his progress even though he stopped coming to the gym for a while. Rick brings a real spirit of determination and gratitude with him. I’m thankful his body is responding to his hard work as well as it is.
Last week Rick did the rejuvenation therapy (shake and bake) and then got on the trampoline both Wednesday and Friday. Believe it or not, Rick was able to stay on it for 37 minutes on Wednesday. On Friday, he walked 200 feet when he got here, did 20 minutes on the shake and bake and then did 35 minutes on the trampoline. What was really encouraging is that Rick texted me later on Friday and said it was easier to keep his head up in the car. He thinks that’s from the rebounding. We’re learning as we go.
Great job Rick! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
I’m really thankful JoAnn Schmitz came in and taught us about the lymphatic system and what she teaches patients when they come to her. It’s been fun putting her knowledge to use and seeing the results. Thanks JoAnn!
Rebounding on the trampoline pumps our lymphatic system in our entire body as well.
Nutrition Program
Janine is back. Welcome back Janine!
When we started the nutrition program, we were hoping we would build a community around nutrition. I’m thankful to know this is happening. I hope it continues to grow and more people will benefit from the program and from each other.
This week, Janine and our nutrition program covered the topic of Sugar Alternatives. WHY use a sugar alternative? To reduce calories and carbohydrates (to manage blood sugar), and/or to increase health benefits (dental health, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins)
Here’s a link to the handout:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zg0HtJxhuURKZNM9lT9od8ggAQLEdX0j/view?usp=sharing
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!
Member Spotlight – Abrian Kane
Abrian doesn’t have it easy with is MS. It’s hard for Abrian to see other people making progress and having fun when his mobility level won’t allow him to do that. I’m really happy to see his body starting to adapt to his hard work. Nice job Abrian!
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed had an interesting conversation amongst themselves this week.
Here’s the link:
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
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
8:00am – 9:00am – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
9:00am – Nutrition Program – Friends with MS, caretakers and volunteers are encouraged to engage.
9:00am – Noon – Open gym and Neubie use for independent members, or those who come with a care partner.
10:00am – Seated and/or standing stretching, strength, and balance with Ricky
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 Mornings
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
TBD – 10:00 – 11:00? – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and 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
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
8:00am – 8:30am – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
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 and/or standing stretching, strength, and balance with Ricky
11:00am – noon: Prayer Group
Thursdays
6:30am – 8:00am: Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
TBD – 10:00 – 11:00? – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
8:30am – 11:00am Outdoor walking – contact Joan, Pam or Dan to find out where we’re walking.
Fridays:
6:30am – 8:00am – Rebounding – Total Body Functional Fitness and Stretching
8:00am – 8:45am – Rebounding – Gentle Functional Fitness and Balance
8:45am – 9:30am – Spin Class – Starting December 12th, Mike Beiermeister will host a winter spin class starting at 8:45am. The class is 45 minutes in duration and meets in the front room with the spin bikes.
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
We had a great season of bike riding from spring until fall. We are done for the season.
Let’s think spring so we can get back out there again! Until Spring…Let’s Bounce 😊 Check out our rebounding opportunities.
Research Needs us!
Marquette University, UW Milwaukee and Carroll University have research opportunities they would like us to engage in. We have flyers and more information about these opportunities at the gym and inserted below. Please engage in these opportunities if you qualify. You could make improvements yourself and you could be helping so many other people with MS as they face their challenges. We really need to get this MS thing figured out and you can help by engaging in these research opportunities.
Educational Sessions
Friday, November 21st 5:00 – 6:00pm: Bryanna Bruger, neuropsychologist working at Aurora Health Care will talk to us about mental health.
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, November 21st, 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 663 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!
Metals for MS
Thank you to all who brought in aluminum cans, gutters, copper, brass, etc. Please keep bringing them in…you are helping us. We are up to $1,461.36 so far this year.
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
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 had a nice walk at Lapham Peak Sunday morning. Sometimes. It’s just nice to get out in the woods.
Lots of golden grass out there now
I like it when I see some deer. This buck was checking me out.
And then he took off.
This one was lit up nice with the morning sun
This one was hungry
This one was just cute
It was fairly cold and windy out there. This little squirrel even looked cold.
Pam’s Uncle Fred gave me a little cross to keep in my pocket. This leaf wanted to give it a hug 😊
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.
