Friends,
How’s your bone health?
A huge thanks goes out to Jackie Radaj, NP, and Jenn Kolesar-Springhetti, DPT, from ProHealth who gave a very informational presentation about bone health and what we can do to have healthy bones.
It’s good to know there are exercises we can do and things we can do to help keep our bones healthy. Hopefully, Jackie and Jenn shared some information that we can incorporate into our lifestyle to keep healthy bones.
Thanks so much Jackie and Jenn for putting this presentation together and sharing it with us. We appreciate it!
The Employees of Lincoln Contractors Supply
Bill worked at Lincoln Contractors Supply and left quite an impression on the people he worked with. A couple years ago, Lincoln Supply had our electric door opener installed on our front door. We use it every day and are very grateful for that.
Last Wednesday, an employee of Lincoln Contractors Supply stopped by and presented us a $1,000.00 donation from the employees of Lincoln Contractors Supply. I think it’s amazing that all the employees took up a collection due to Bill’s passion and engagement in our mission. We are thankful and will certainly put it to good use. A huge thank you goes out to Bill, Lincoln Supply and all their employes…THANK YOU!
Day of Endurance Training
I hope your training is going well. I know some are hitting it hard already and are well ahead of what they were doing last year at this time…good job! We get out of it what we put into it. Please turn your first two weeks of progress notes into Dr Kate.
Let’s make this journey and experience the best yet and have some fun…together. As we begin our training, let’s enjoy each day and record what we do on the packet we put together for you. If you didn’t get a packet, please see Dr Kate or me for your packet. We’re trying to make it really easy for you to record what you’re doing on a daily basis. These will be interesting for you to look back at a year from now. Hopefully, you can do more next year than you can this year.
Remember, try to do daily workouts and just one LONG workout each week. It’s on the one long day that you want to do just a little better than the week before and gradually build up each week.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
This week, Adam and Ed had a nice conversation with Keri as she shared her story.
Here’s the link:
Visiting with Keri by Positive Vibes Living with MS
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
Member Spotlight
MS is tough and has been really tough for Adam. The past few years, it’s been getting harder and harder for him despite how hard he is working. In the middle of January this year, Adam and Sarah started coming in with me every weekday morning to get on the trampolines. Adam sways back and forth from side to side on the trampoline to the level of fatigue that he can’t do it anymore. In the middle of January, Adam was on the harness and reached that fatigue level within just 6 minutes. Last week, Adam improved his endurance to 24 minutes which is a 400% improvement in six weeks. To me, that’s a huge improvement. He no longer needs the harness either. Great job Adam! You deserve to make progress.
This week has been tough for Adam though. Yesterday morning, he made it 16 minutes and this morning he made it 18 minutes. That’s still a lot better than 6 minutes. I encouraged Adam not to get discouraged with not making it to 24 minutes every day. MS is still MS and it takes consistency and a long time for our body to adapt. Adam is a trooper and makes the best of it each day regardless of what he can do.
It’s important we listen to our bodies. As we all know as we live with MS, when we’re done, we’re done until we recover. Sometimes recovery takes a few minutes and sometimes it takes a few days. We don’t want recovery to take a few days. We don’t like to see it take more than a few hours. If it takes longer than that, we’re doing too much too soon. We need to be consistent and patient as we “gradually” build up. After we recover, we get right back at it.
MS-Just Keep Moving Bowling Tournament Fundraiser
A huge thanks goes out to Bob and everyone helping to plan for our bowling tournament March 8th and 9th along with everyone that is participating in some way.
MS JKM Members, Volunteers and Supporters….The second annual winter fundraiser for our gym is fast approaching. The Bowling Tournament is just one week away on the weekend of March 8th and 9th. The planning committee is hard at work to hold another very successful event and we want to let you know how you can participate. Besides the top prize of the booze wagon, we have about 20 other raffles. We have lots of great items including the return of the hundred dollar scratch off basket and corn hole boards which were our top money makers in last year’s event.
As an opportunity to include all gym attendees, we are going to be pre-selling tickets on Friday, March 7th from 11 AM to 12 PM in the gym break room. All the raffle items will be available to view and tickets can be purchased. Tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10 or 7 for $20. We also made things simpler this year. You only have to write your name and address once then you’ll be assigned a number that you can write on all the other tickets you purchase. You then place your tickets in the bucket of the raffle prize you want to win.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT TO WIN!!! Stop by Friday, March 7th in the break room and buy your tickets!!!
We are still accepting bottles of donated items for the big prize of the Booze Wagon. There are only a few spots to bowl with your team remaining. Please contact Bob at the gym or at bandebeagles@wi.rr.com if interested in bowling.
Details can be found on the events page of our website:
MS Zoomers – New program facilitated by our friend Tom Holtackers
Many of us have met Tom Holtackers as he has been here, participated in our Day of Endurance from Minnesota the past two years, written two books about living with MS and has presented here in the past. I would highly encourage you to login and join Tom if you’re able to. At a minimum, please-mail Tom and ask to be on the distribution list so you are in the loop. Tom is a physical therapist from Mayo Clinic who has specialized in people living with MS and lives with MS himself…a VERY knowledgeable person.
Here’s a message from Tom about the program he is starting:
MS Zoomers: We Speak MS!
We discuss different aspects of the concepts of self-management of our MS. A topic is presented and then we provide support for each other through sharing our life experiences related to that topic. We do not give medical advice as we are not medical providers.
We meet the first Saturday of every month at 1 o’clock via Zoom. Our meetings last approximately 90 minutes. The group is facilitated by Tom Holtackers who has lived with MS for over 50 years.
If you are interested in joining the group, please send Tom your email address and he will put you on the distribution list His address is mssux@mac.com -Tom Holtackers-
Dance for MS Ballet and More – New information!
We had fun in the two dance workshops we had in December. Here’s a message from Jessica with more opportunities to dance. I hope you’ll engage in these opportunities…I would highly encourage it!
Good afternoon everyone,
First and foremost thank you to those of you that attended our first session of Dance for MS- ballet. It has been so well received that we are extending it for the month of March on March 3, 10, 17 (feeling lucky?!) and 31. Danceworks is closed March 24-30 so there will not be class on March 24. Classes are from 10:45-12 and take place at our studio location (1661 N Water).
Also coming back for spring is the social dance series. Classes will be from 1:30-2:30 on Saturdays March 1, 8, and 22 at Danceworks Studio location (see above) There will be no class on 3/15 due to our annual Gala and we are closed on 3/29.
Pre-registration is preferred but not required to attend any Dance for MS class. For help registering you can call our front desk 414-277-8480 M-F between 9-7 or Saturdays 8-2.
Speaking of our Gala– Danceworks is hosting its first annual Gala on Saturday March 15 from 4-7 at Calvary Presbyterian. The Gala boasts, a wine pull, silent auction items, open bar, delicious hors d’oeuvres and a show put on by Danceworks Performance Company. For tickets and other ways to get involved click here!
I am looking forward to seeing you in class soon!
Keep Dancing,
Jessica Fastabend
Community Education Director
414.277.8480 x6005
1661 N. Water Street | Milwaukee WI 53202
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…friends with MS, volunteers, and caregivers.
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
Wednesdays
8:30am – 9:00am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big T
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.
Fridays:
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 at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Spin / Cycle Classes Friday’s @ 9:00am
Mike Beiermeister is offering to lead some spin / cycle classes again this year on Friday mornings @ 9:00 in the front room.
Please be prompt and ready to start riding @ 9:00am. Spin bikes are limited so it will be on first come first serve. We did pick up one more used spin bike since last week so let’s put it to good use. Let’s get ready for spring bike riding.
Thanks, Mike for offering to lead these classes again!
Friday Morning Bike Ride
We are done for the season. Let’s work hard over the winter so we can pick right back up where we left off. Let’s enjoy our winter together and think Spring!
Educational Sessions
This Friday, February 28th 11:00am – 12:00 pm- Dr Kate Kern will demo the steps it takes to get up from the ground, whether it be from a fall or on purpose!
Friday, March 14th 11:00am – 12:00pm Fayth Caruso from Bellicon will zoom in with us to do an educational presentation on the benefits of rebounding (workouts on the mini-trampoline), the science behind it, share some success stories, etc. Who knows, maybe we can even bounce with Fayth a little.
Friday, March 21st: 11:00 – 12:00pm Sarah Pfeiffle, marketing and outreach coordinator from the Waukesha County Aging and Disability Resource Center will talk to us about resources offered at our community’s ADRC.
Friday, March 28th: 11:00 – 12:00pm Dr Kate Habanek will be back again to go a little deeper into the vestibular exercises and teach us about the Z Health balance program.
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 Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the gym. Plus, Monday evenings from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. 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, March 7th, 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 589 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 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 week with camera again this week. I got pretty close to this little cutie at Lapham Peak.
I went to Prairie Du Sac Saturday afternoon for a while. I saw a couple juvenile eagles flying together and getting ready to lock their talons together as part of their courting ritual.
They almost connected but unfortunately, they missed by a little bit. It was still fun to see. This was the second time I saw this happen this winter.
I had this red shouldered hawk fly over me. I didn’t know what it was but it was beautiful.
I went for a walk along the shoreline and saw some pretty cool shapes in the ice with some nice rocks under it.
On the Wisconsin River, I understand the water level goes up and down fairly rapidly. Apparently, the water level dropped and left these ice formations frozen on the rock.
It was like that on several rocks. It’s a good thing I was out there Saturday, they probably melted by Sunday.
I was lucky enough to see some common mergansers and golden eyes swimming together
Here’s golden eye doing a fly by
The common mergansers were fun to watch
This common merganser was taking off below the dam
This common merganser was flying just above the rapids…I really like that shot. For some reason, I sure get lucky with the camera.
I thought I would try to take a picture of some rushing water below the dam. I’m not sure what to think of it…interesting, I guess.
I had this eagle flying over me…beautiful bird. It has a band on it’s foot, I’m not sure why that would be.
Getting out in nature and capturing some of God’s beauty to share just doesn’t get old. I’m thankful to be able to get out there.
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.
