Friends,
Craft Fair / Bake Sale – Thank you!
A huge THANKS goes out to everyone that baked, participated in and supported our Craft Fair / Bake Sale last weekend. I’m always amazed at all the talents we have within our community. Thank you for sharing your gifts and for all the support we received. It was fun!
We have some baked goods left over and all baked goods will be $1.00. They will be available at the gym tomorrow morning. Linda will also be here delivering some special orders and offering what she has left.
Class engagement
It warms my heart every time I see our strength, cardio and balance classes going on. Last week was especially exciting when we had a dance class along with the rest of our classes. I’m not a dancer but I have to admit, I really enjoyed it. I hope we can get more participation as we go forward. Dance is so beneficial for all of us living with MS. Dr Ng proved that in the studies he has done through the years.
Jessica Fastabend from Danceworks is an excellent dance teacher and Dr Alex Ng from Marquette University compliments her well with demonstrations.
The seated strength and balance class continues to be so beneficial to many people. Thanks to all for engaging in this.
The standing balance class went to a new level last week as Dr Kern led the class on our new Bellicon rebounders. That was FUN…and challenging. There’s no doubt it will be beneficial in many ways.
I would highly encourage you to engage in our classes regardless of your ability level. I know MS is tough and it’s not easy to live with. We might as well make the best of it…together. What’s the alternative? Let’s not go there.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Why? Because we have so much to be Thankful for. I am most thankful for the Good Lord and all the good people in my life…all of you! I’m even thankful for MS because the Good Lord has brought all of us together through living with MS. We wouldn’t be an MS-Just Keep Moving family without it.
Let’s enjoy our Thanksgiving together with loved ones and reflect on our blessings in life.
Giving Tuesday – next Tuesday
I’m terrible at asking anyone for anything but I love it when people help out. We are so fortunate to have the loving community we have with all our friends with MS, caregivers, volunteers, supporters, advisors, etc.
If you are a person who gives to non-profits on Giving Tuesdays, year-end, or anytime throughout the year, please consider MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc. as a worthy tax deductible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to donate to.
As you know, everything we do for people with MS, we do for free. We don’t get any government funding. All of our funding comes from people, organizations, events and businesses who are passionate about our mission. It would be totally against our mission if we couldn’t help people with MS for financial reasons either on their part or ours.
We are very fiscally responsible and appreciative of any donations we receive. All of our board members are on a volunteer basis and 100% of donations go directly to serving our mission. There are many ways to give however, we would prefer a check so we don’t have to pay a service charge.
Here’s a list of ways you can donate if you are willing to do so.
If you’ve donated to us in the past…THANK YOU! We will continue to put your donations to good use serving our friends with MS. I’m so thankful you’re making it possible for us to do this…together. THANK YOU!
Volunteer Appreciation / Christmas party
Our annual volunteer appreciation / Christmas party will be Wednesday, December 18th. There is a sign-up sheet at the gym for food. I hope to see you there!
Evening open gym for working people with MS
Dr Kate Kern has offered to have some open gym hours for working people with MS soon. Through the years, we’ve had many requests from people who work during the day that live with MS to have some hours available that they could come by us. Dr Kern is willing to give this a try and see if we can help more people with MS.
As of now, we have seven people interested in this opportunity. Dr Kern is working out the details with them. If you’re considering joining us, please reach out to Dr Kern promptly so we can get this started and you’ll be in the loop of communication.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please e-mail Dr Kate Kern directly at kborn1234@gmail.com
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam, Ed and Dr Becky Thomas tried to do a podcast last week. Unfortunately, the sound didn’t turn out too well so we’re not able to share it this week. Sorry about that!
Member Spotlight – Linda Strzelecki
Linda has been “consistent” (there’s that word again) and making progress. She has great support from her husband Jeff who graciously brings Linda to the gym early Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Jeff is a great addition to our MS-Just Keep Moving family as well.
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.
Wednesdays
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.
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.
10:30 – 11:00am Tai Chi led by Ricky
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.
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
Friday, December 6th 11:00am – 12:00 pm: There is evidence that ballet-based dance movements can help women and men living with MS. Ms Melissa Anderson from Danceworks will lead us in ballet based rhythmic movements designed to help you! Have no fear, no experience needed, only a willingness to have some fun and release your inner ballerina or danseur!
Friday, December 13th 11:00am – 12:00 pm – Jamie Wolfe, nurse practitioner and MS certified nurse at ProHealth, will share with us about resources available to those living with MS from a clinical perspective.
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. 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 Friday, December 6thth 2024. 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 568 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 with Linda and Mary Linda and Mary will be here on Fridays doing Reiki. Many people say their Reiki work is “magical”. We’re thankful for Linda and Mary for sharing their gifts and talents with us. Feel free to let them know you’d like to do Reiki with them. They also have a sign-up sheet.
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. We finally had our first snow fall this past week. It didn’t last long. I happened to get a couple pictures of the Sandhill Cranes enjoying the snow (sort of).
They had to look a little harder for their food
I love it when they ruffle their feathers up and shake out
I asked this guy when they were going to fly south for the winter. He said probably the first week in December like they did last year and will return the first week in March. We’ll see if that’s accurate this year. He seemed sincere.
The turkeys enjoyed the snow too
I happened to have a little fun with some cardinals this past weekend
They sure are beautiful birds
This bluejay wanted it’s picture taken too. I had some really nice lighting when I saw him.
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.
