Friends,
Breathing, stretching and singing – POWERFUL session last Friday
This group never ceases to amaze me. Last Friday was another example of God bringing us together for much more powerful reasons than I could have ever imagined.
Dr Alex Ng from Marquette University contacted Dr Kate Kern and asked if he and professional singer Evelyn Pollock could join us for a pre-study breathing / singing session. I had no idea how important breathing techniques and stretching is to singing. Breathing and stretching is so critical to all of us living with MS in order to stay ahead of our MS.
Evelyn brought her two very talented daughters along and they strummed on some instruments along with Dr Ng.
Evelyn very passionately led us through stretches, holding notes and singing together. I had no idea how powerful breathing, stretching and singing together can be for us living with MS in so many ways.
I’m really excited about the study that Dr Ng, Evelyn and Marquette University will be doing on this. We have people in our group that have trouble getting words out and speaking clearly. I truly believe this is going to prove to be a fun and effective way to help people with MS. It’s exciting that we get to be part of this study. There will be more information about the study coming out in the near future. Even if you’re not a singer, I would highly encourage you to engage in this research study. When we were singing as a group, we didn’t have to worry about how we sound individually. I’m hoping the results are very positive.
Thank you, Dr Ng, Dr Kern, Evelyn and her two daughters along with everyone who engaged in this to make this eye-opening experience possible last Friday. It was fun!
Endurance Walking Opportunities
Our endurance walking group is going to keep walking together. This is a good time to start if you want to start building your walking endurance. What we are experiencing…if we want to walk better, walk more.
These are on Thursday mornings starting @ 6:00am. If you want to meet up with us later, just let Joan, Pam or me know and we will circle back to meet up with you.
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.
I would encourage you to start where you are and gradually make progress like we are. I hope you’ll join us at some level.
Nutrition Program
We did not have our nutrition program this week on Labor Day. They will start back up next week even though Janine will be traveling for a while. Janine has prepared subject and handouts for each week she will be off. Thanks Janine! Safe and adventurous travels. We will miss you and do our best to preset the materials you have prepared for us. We’re already looking forward to your return.
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 – Randy Sonnenberg
When I was talking to Randy the other day, he said this place is exactly what he needed. Randy has fully engaged in a very short period. He’s doing the hard work and I’m thankful his body is responding in a positive way with all the effort he puts in. MS is different for all of us and some get too fatigued too soon and it takes days to recover. Randy is fortunate he’s able to handle all he is doing. I’m thankful Randy is recognizing the mental and emotional health benefits as well the physical. I hope you continue to make the progress you’re making Randy…well done!
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed had a conversation with each other about life with MS from their perspective.
Here’s the link:
A Day 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
We will be riding Friday morning as long as it’s not raining and above 45 degrees. As we get into September and hopefully October, every Friday morning ride is a bonus. It looks like we should have a beautiful ride this week.
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 will 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
This 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, September 5th, 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 647 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 was able to spend some time in nature this past week. I was very fortunate to see a bald eagle sitting on top of a tree and a few pelicans flew by.
I watched this guy for an hour and a half or so
While I was watching him, I paid attention to all the life around me. There were ducks swimming around.
A Great Blue Heron watching for something to eat
He must not have found what he was looking for. He started flying toward me.
I was able to watch turtles climbing onto a log
An egret was out there looking for breakfast too
This belted kingfish bird was fun to watch
This young red-winged blackbird was trying to fly like an eagle
The pelicans kept flying over me
As I looked around, I saw a couple more turtles coming out to sun themselves
Finally, the eagle decided to fly
Hard to believe all this life was happening all around me in just a couple hours on Monday morning as I waited for the eagle to fly.
Where was I? Just standing by the boat landing by O’Leary’s Lake by the Mississippi River, across the river from Dubuque, IA. All these pictures were taken standing in one place. It was an amazing morning.
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.
