Friends,
Day of Endurance training journey kickoff last Friday
It was good to see some excitement about our Day of Endurance journey last Friday. For those who have heard my story many times, thanks for listening to it again. For those who are new, hopefully you have a better vision of what this journey is and why we do it.
I truly believe the Good Lord gave me my mobility back at the level I got it back so I would share my story, my journey and help other people with MS in some way. I sure hope I am doing what He wants me to do. I continue to pray for the knowledge and ability to help more people in even more effective ways. Let’s keep doing our part.
I hope you all will engage in the Day of Endurance journey and make progress yourself in some way. Please know we are here to help you any way we can. That’s our mission. There are a LOT of benefits of exercising for us with MS even if we don’t think it’s possible. One thing about exercise though is that we all have to do the hard work ourselves in order to receive the benefits. Consistency (daily) is critical if you want to have the most benefits, energy possible and feel good. We can exercise together and that helps tremendously. To me, it’s more important who I do things with than what I do.
We highly encourage people to buddy up with friends and family members they can train with consistently. It does not need to be the same person or people each day. Mix it up…have some fun. This is an opportunity to do something active with different people each day.
Matt Panelli’s documentary – tomorrow is the big day!
Yes, Matt set out to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa despite all the challenges he’s had in life. I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of this documentary experience and view it already. I don’t want to be a spoiler alert person for the documentary but I do want to say that this documentary is very well done. It’s about so much more than Matt’s experiences on his journey. It ties in so much education about mental health, MS as a disease, perseverance and so much more.
Here’s a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW8cmzrbixE
We are fortunate enough to have a private viewing of this at the gym before it is released to the rest of the world. We are scheduling it so people who use a ride service can be here along with the rest of us. Please schedule your ride to get here before 9:00am this day and be picked up after 11:00am so you can see the whole movie.
Nutrition Program
This week, Janine and friends at the Nutrition program discussed intermittent fasting. This is something I feel all of us living with MS should be doing one way or another. Research is showing that the benefits can be so life changing for us living with MS. We can start slow and…it’s FREE!
If you are not engaging in our nutrition program, I would highly encourage you to at least read the handouts that Janine prepares for us each week.
Here’s a link to the handout:
Nutrition: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zcJHEy-X_9u7_AcUh_iXYlHDZetmv2FY/view?usp=drive_link
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!
Bathroom cleaning
We had a couple people sign up to be put into the rotation of bathroom cleaning. Thank you! Kate will be communicating with the willing people in the near future. We will leave the sign-up sheet on the white table yet this week in case we have anyone else willing to help.
If you are a member or volunteer with cleaning skills, we would greatly appreciate putting you in our rotation of bathroom cleaners for the gym. The bathrooms need cleaning periodically (a few times a month). We’d like to take the burden off the few people who keep them clean for us now. If you are willing to help out, please email Kate at kborn1234@gmail.com to connect you with the right people to coordinate a schedule. We appreciate your help with this job!
Christina Drausch’s Capstone Project for her doctorate degree
We are fortunate to have Christina here with us for her capstone project. Let’s engage in her program and help it be a great and beneficial experience for her, for you, and for us. Here’s some information:
MS-Just Keep Moving Bowling Tournament Fundraiser
MS JKM Members, Volunteers and Supporters….The third annual winter fundraiser for our gym is this weekend, February 21st and 22nd at Alpine Lane in Muskego, Wisconsin
Ticket pre-sales have started!
We would love to see you at the tournament however if you are unable to attend you can still purchase raffle tickets as you do not need to be present to win.
Tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10 or 7 for $20
You can get your tickets in advance on the following days & times. You will also be able to view all items & place your tickets directly in our “buckets”.
Wednesday Feb 18th from 8 to 9am or 11am to 12pm in the break room.
Friday Feb 20th from 8 to 9am or 11am to 12pm in the break room.
Look forward to seeing you on February 21 and 22nd at Alpine lanes in Muskego, Wisconsin
Arts for MS Program – Let’s engage!
Here’s a message from Dr Alex Ng about this next Monday’s program:
Hi Dan,
Attached is a revised Arts for MS flyer that highlights our upcoming events. Note that next Monday’s session was invented by who will be leading it and I think it will really hit the “sweet spot” for a lot of your participants! It has a little bit of everything, gentle somatic movement, sometimes rhythmic, meditation, breathing etc. and all with LED candlelight. Thanks for helping us publicize these events.
Take care,
Alex
If anyone wants to carpool for these events from the gym, please let me know. Let’s do our best to make it easy for as many people as possible to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities for us, our family members, and friends.
Shoe Donations
We already filled two boxes and a couple bags. 😊 Thanks to everyone who is donating their shoes!
Do you have any shoes you can donate? Becky Thomas is collecting old or new shoes supporting Soles for Jesus. These shoes will be distributed to people in need of shoes in Africa. She dropped off a box for us to drop them in. Please bring in shoes if you have any extras.
Coughs, colds, flus, etc. – Let’s not share
There are a lot of bugs going around. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home and recover from them instead of sharing with the rest of us at the gym. We look forward to you getting over it and having you back quickly.
Member Spotlight – Kelly Kobriger
I’ve felt bad for Kelly for quite a while. The past six months or better have been tough on her. I’m thankful she’s getting some relief. Dr Jon Stevenson will be here on March 13th and will share more information on the red light therapy that’s working for Kelly.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed made a new podcast with Laura this week as Laura shared her story about her MS journey.
Here’s the link:
A Conversation with Lora 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.
9-10:00am: Neubie and personal training
10-11am – Group stretching class
10-10:15am Chair stretch
10:15-10:30am Standing balance and stretch
10:30-10:45am Core work on the mat
10:45 – 11:00am: Stretching on the mat
11:00-12:00pm: Neubie and workout recovery (stretch and massage)
Monday evenings (open gym 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, University of Illinois, 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.
Please note: Researchers at UW-Milwaukee changed the age limit on this study from 60 year old max to 70 years old so more of our friends with MS could participate. If you’re under 70 years old, please consider engaging in this research so we can help figure out how to keep our hands working longer…and get $30.00.
Here’s Badr’s presentation on this study in case you’d like more information.
You get paid $180.00 to do this one and it’s all done online.
Educational Sessions
Wednesday February 18th 9am – 11am Matt Panelli “Guy Who Can” documentary private showing
Friday, March 13th 11:00 – 12:00 Dr Jon Stevenson from Strive Integrative Health will be here.
Friday, March 20th 11:00 – 12:00 Fayth Caruso from Bellicon will do another rebounding educational program and demonstration via zoom
Friday, April 10th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Sarah Stauder, MD in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Aurora Health Care will talk to us about the wheelchair clinic that she runs out of the Aurora and Froedtert health care systems. At the wheelchair clinic, patients are seen by a provider, a physical therapist, and the wheelchair vendor. They determine what type of wheelchair would be best for the patient and order it through the vendor, going through the patient’s insurance. Patients can receive a wheelchair or mobility device through insurance once every 5 years, sometimes sooner if disease progresses. Then the wheelchair vendor (usually National Seating & Mobility or Numotion) coordinates the delivery of the wheelchair and any further repairs/needs.
Friday, March 20th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Fayth Caruso will virtually join us for an hour of rebounding….
Wednesday, April 15th: Let’s Be Safe: tub/shower and bed transfers. Stephanie Wahlen, occupational therapist with with experience in home health and safety with ADLs, will provide a safe transfer workshop.
Friday, April 17th 6-8pm. Nyani Berg has invited a Traditional Medicine Doctor to speak with us about Traditional Medicine. A zoom option will be available for those that cannot make it in person. A flyer and zoom registration link will be available in the coming weeks.
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, February 20th, 2026. 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 669 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. Our total is $1,926.63 for the first nine months. That’s really good!
Parking
If you are able-bodied and willing to park across the street in the Acuity Foam 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 Fridays
Reiki is available at the gym, for FREE on Fridays with Linda C, 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 many ways!
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
Our Website: http://msjustkeepmoving.org/
P.S. This past week, I didn’t have any pictures to share on Sunday morning so I got up before sunrise and went to the Pewaukee Lake boat launch to see what the sunrise will be like. It was beautiful!
Monday, I went back to Oconomowoc Lake to see if the swans were still there. There were only two of them but I was able to get fairly close to them.
It was kind of interesting; the swans and the geese were playing monkey see monkey do
See what I mean?
This duck even gave it her best shot as she was landing
Cal and I went to the Vernon Marsh south of Waukesha.
This was the first time I was ever there. We saw some Greater White-Fronted Geese. I learned something, I didn’t even know they existed.
Interesting looking geese.
It was 65 degrees and the snow and ice were melting quickly
When the light hits the melting snow just right, it looks kind of cool
We enjoyed our time together out there with such nice lighting
We even saw our first muskrat of the year. It was already busy gathering sticks.
For those who cannot get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I am 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.
