Friends,
Golf Outing last Friday
Our golf outing this past Friday was a huge success in so many ways. It was very well organized by our friends at ePlatinum Health. The weather cooperated, people were in great spirits, everyone had fun together, some golfed well and some didn’t…that was ok by all, the course was in great shape, the volunteers were all so helpful, the silent auction and raffle prizes were really nice and well organized, the sponsors, golfers and donors were extremely generous. Much fun was had and many great memories were made.
It took a lot of planning and energy preparing for this and making it happen. After we all had a great experience, the event raised $40,000.00 to support our MS-Just Keep Moving mission. That’s absolutely incredible, amazing and so much APPRECIATED. Thank you to all who helped to make this such a huge success again this year!
A huge THANK YOU goes out to our friends at ePlatinum Health for putting this on for us AGAIN this year.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to all who are sponsoring it, golfing in it, volunteering for it, etc.
A huge THANK YOU also goes out to all who donated and helped us gather donations for raffle and silent auction items. Thanks so much!
Another huge THANK YOU also goes out to everyone who volunteered their time and talent to make this possible. I know so many people worked so hard to gather all the raffle and silent auction items, as well as organize them, wrap them, display them, etc. from the MS-Just Keep Moving family side. I also know lots of volunteer hours went into this from the ePlatinum Health side as well. THANK YOU to all our volunteers. This event wouldn’t have been possible without you.
Let’s be thankful and hope our friends at ePlatinum Health will consider putting this on for us again next year. We certainly don’t take this for granted. We appreciate it very much and will do all we can to put the money to good use supporting our mission in ways that benefit many people living with MS, their families, and friends as well as share what we learn with researchers, doctors and others living with MS across the nation.
Al’s Honor Flight
On Saturday, our friend Al Graham was chosen to join our friends with MS; Bill Baumgardt and Mary Arata who previously went on a well-deserved honor flight.
Al’s family was kind enough to let us know that he was going on this. Many of us gathered at the airport to welcome Al back home along with all the rest of the veterans that went on this flight with Al.
It was an honorable experience to be there amongst so many American Heros who are loved by so many.
When I reflect on being there, it was truly an experience of Honor, Pride, Joy and Love. It was very emotional and God’s love for all was so evident.
I was so thankful to be able to experience this and honor Al and so many other highly respected and deserving veterans who served our country so well. I know there are many other friends with MS that wanted to be there but couldn’t. Please trust me, we could sense your love and support.
There are more pictures of this event on our Facebook page. Feel free to check them out.
New stretching class
Many of us do not stretch enough. We know how beneficial it is but we just don’t take time to do it. Many people with MS who have spasticity realize it’s essential to do stretching in order to be able to do anything else.
Last week, we started a new stretching class led by Ricky. Ricky received rave reviews and we will be continuing it on Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:00am. I hope you will engage in it and benefit from it.
Bryant & Stratton Students and Leaders – THANK YOU!
Tomorrow will be the last day for the students and leaders of the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Bryant & Stratton College for the summer.
We’ve had many of our friends with MS helped in many ways by the students and leaders this session. I asked for one of the students many times and they were all busy helping someone with MS. That was music to my ears. The students learned a lot as they were helping our friends with MS and our friends with MS were certainly helped in many ways. It’s really refreshing to work with such a great group of young, confident, intelligent, energetic, selfless group of human beings. We are blessed.
Thank you to all the students and their leaders. We look forward to having you back again in September.
Endurance Walking Opportunities
Walking is a very functional and sought after level of mobility for all of us living with MS. For those who can’t walk, my heart is with you. I don’t forget for a minute the days I couldn’t walk and I have you in mind on each walk. I wish we had quicker ways to get people who can’t walk, walking. Let’s keep working at it.
For those who can walk, let’s focus on keeping our walking abilities and try to improve upon them.
Our endurance walking group is training for the Day of Endurance. These are on Thursday mornings starting @ 6:00am.
Last Thursday, we walked 12 miles and we all felt better than we did when we finished 7 miles 6 weeks ago. Our bodies are adapting…that’s exciting! Even if you can only walk a few steps, I would highly encourage you to try to walk a few more steps each day. Consistency is key.
It’s as if we are walking with Jesus…wait, I believe we are. 😊
We are walking different segments of the Lake Country Trail. Whether you have MS, are a family or friend, a volunteer, etc. if you want to join us, please let me know and I will include you in the communication of where we will be walking. We are hoping to gradually build up from 7 miles to 15-18 miles as we train for the Day of Endurance on August 23rd.
If you want to join us at a shorter distance, we will loop back at whatever distance you’d like to walk. I would encourage you to start where you are and gradually make progress as well. I hope you’ll join us. We do it early to beat the heat and get it done as early as we can.
Nutrition Program
This week, Janine led us through some conversations about health fiber and other topics.
Here are the nutrition links for this week: –
Client-Ed-Heart-Healthy-Fiber-Tips-MSJust Keep Moving.pdf
Client-Ed-Tips-for-Adding-Fiber-to-Your-Diet-MSJustKeepMoving.pdf
The_Perfect_Athletes_Snack_Final_032415.pdf
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.
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!
Member Spotlight – Jamie Brandemuehl
Jamie works so hard every time she comes. She’s been gradually building up and making progress. Jamie is a great hugger too. When you see Jamie, ask her for a hug.
Day of Endurance – Saturday, August 23rd 2025
I hope your training is going well. I know some are hitting it hard and are well ahead of where they were last year at this time…good job! We get out of it what we put into it. I hope you’re feeling good!
Let’s make this journey and experience the best yet and have some fun…together. As we train, 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. Please turn your progress notes into Dr Kate bi-weekly. 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 do this year.
Remember, try to do daily workouts and just one LONG workout each week. It’s on the one long workout that you want to do just a little better than the week before on and gradually build up each week.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed had a conversation with Mia who is a Kinesiology Student at UW Madison working toward her degree in Physical Therapy. Mia is volunteering here for the summer.
Here’s the link:
A Conversation with Mia by Positive Vibes Living with MS
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
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 presentations:
Client-Ed-Heart-Healthy-Fiber-Tips-MSJust Keep Moving.pdf
Client-Ed-Tips-for-Adding-Fiber-to-Your-Diet-MSJustKeepMoving.pdf
The_Perfect_Athletes_Snack_Final_032415.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
8:30am – 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:
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
No bike ride this Friday. We will be at the golf outing with the trailer and trikes.
Educational Sessions
This Friday, Friday, June 27th 11:00 – 12:00 pm: Faith Zahorik, pelvic floor physical therapist from ProHealth Care will talk to us about the anatomy and function of your pelvic floor and core musculature, and the interaction of MS. You will also take home the initial tools to build strength and strategies for optimal pelvic floor health.
Friday, July 11th 11:00 – 12:00 pm: Day of endurance check-in presentation. We will discuss the details of the event held on Saturday, August 23rd.
Friday, July 18th 11:00 – 12:00 pm: Bi-yearly volunteer meeting. Meet in the breakroom to discuss any new topics, raise questions, comments, or concerns.
Friday, July 25th 11:00 – 12:00 pm: Rob Motl’s team from the University of Illinois Chicago will update us on research results from their recently completed MS studies, tell us about ongoing research studies, and what’s next for his research lab.
Friday, August 1st 11:00 – 12:00 pm: Kate will present interesting research findings and rehab techniques she learned at the 2025 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) conference.
Friday, August 15th Fayth Caruso from Bellicon will be here to spend the morning with us. Fayth will answer any questions you may have about rebounding, the benefits of it, how to get started, experiences she’s had as a master trainer, etc. Fayth would also like to learn from us living with MS and how we have benefited it from it so far. Fayth gets lots of requests from people across the nation about rebounding and MS. She is hoping to get some testimonials from some of us to share with her Bellicon nation.
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 Friday, July 4th, 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 626 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 didn’t get out with my camera this week. Sorry about that!
I did happen to capture a few cell phone pictures though. We were at a one year old birthday party on Saturday and saw this swan in a pond.
I thought it might make a nice black and white photo
This turkey was banging on our window. I think it liked its own shadow.
Do you like to pick black raspberries? They’re just starting to ripen. We picked a few pints of them…yum!
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.
