Friends,
Matt Panelli’s documentary – WOW!
When we set out to do something BIG, Matt sure did something BIG when we see it all come together in his documentary. Let’s see, there’s getting out of his depression, deciding to do it, planning for it, training for it despite his challenges with MS, planning some more, getting everyone rounded up that needs to go along, go there with everyone, enjoy the people there and the journey of climbing the mountain, coming back down off the adrenaline rush, coming back home, getting all the footage organized and composed, doing more interviews, putting the story together, etc., etc. Now that’s a BIG accomplishment! We were fortunate to be able to enjoy his documentary together with Matt for his world premiere. It’s a good thing we had Kleenexes, we should have had popcorn too.
I loved how some of us bounced on the Bellicons, rode bikes, cardio equipment, etc. and just kept moving while taking in the documentary.
I don’t know when this will be available for the public to see this or where. Matt will certainly keep us posted and I will be helping to promote it. There are many great life lessons and educational moments in the movie. I feel everyone should see it and perhaps benefit from it in some way.
Well done, Matt! Thank you for sharing your accomplishments and gifts with this. I wish you all the best with whatever direction this takes you and your future. If you haven’ seen it and get a chance to see it, I would highly recommend it. In case you didn’t see the trailer, here’s a link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW8cmzrbixE
Abrian’s first day on the Grit Chair
Abrian did really well on the Grit chair last Friday. He put some grit into it. Julie suggested he starts training for the Day of Endurance on the Grit chair. Great idea Julie! You’re on your way, Abrian. Let’s see how far you can ride it by August 29th. 😊
Bowling Tournament was a lot of FUN and a Big Success!
It was great to experience the fun and generous spirit at the bowling tournament this past weekend. I loved seeing Bob and all the volunteers sharing their gifts by creating this fun and beneficial event for our mission as well as all the volunteers, bowlers, family members, donors, etc.
Bob puts his heart into this event.
Our volunteers had fun making it a great experience for all the bowlers and each other.
I was fortunate to be able to bowl with John Haupt. I’m not a bowler but I really enjoyed bowling with John. He told me before we started that he’s never hit 100 since he’s been bowling from his wheelchair which is over forty years. I was so hoping he would get over 100. His first game was 89 so he was close. His second game was 129 and he had opportunities to be much higher than that. It was exciting for John and all of us rooting for him.
The weekend was fun all the way around. We don’t have the totals of how much the bowling tournament raised for our mission but by the sounds of it, we think we are more than last year which is excellent for all us.
A huge thanks goes out to all who planned for this, volunteered for it, donated item for the raffles, bowled, bought raffle tickets, came and supported us, etc., etc. THANK YOU to ALL!
Nutrition Program
This week, Janine and friends at the Nutrition program discussed Fermented food-making starting with homemade sauerkraut.
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/1pOjUy0YZzWzE-ubxWpJx7FaD_LANSQHn/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!
Christina Drausch’s Capstone Project for her doctorate degree – Events start tomorrow
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:
Arts for MS Program – Let’s engage!
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 – Gregory Borden
If Gregory can help others, he’s always willing to do that. Gregory always makes the best of his challenges with MS with a positive attitude and outlook.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed made a new podcast together with some friends.
Here’s the link:
Random Ramblings 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
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 Friday, March 6th, 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 670 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. I’ve had a busy week this past week and didn’t get out to get any pictures until yesterday at sunset. I went to Delafield and just caught the sunset.
I walked along the river and thought I was too late for any good pictures. Then I came upon a couple Sandhill cranes that must have just migrated back.
They were puffing up quite a bit and cleaning themselves off.
As it got closer to being dark, the they started calling. It was really cool to see them and hear their call going up the river.
I happened to get this picture of the ground up blacktop pile along Bluemound by the gym. The dusting of snow gave it an interesting look.
I got out with Cal and Larry this afternoon. We stopped by Oconomowoc Lake and I saw one Common Goldeneye out there.
Then we went to the dam by Fowler Lake in Oconomowoc and found some water running over some rocks.
We went out to Watertown and found some geese. It was interesting to be above this one flying along the river.
Caught a duck flying low too.
We walked up by the dam and saw a lot of ice and water coming over the dam.
When we got back by our vehicle, this one was sitting on the bank hoping I would take his picture.
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.
