Friends,
Never in my wildest dreams
I do a lot of reflecting on what we are doing, why we are doing it, how we can help people with MS, what’s next, etc. I always looked at myself as a bit of a dreamer, an optimist that looks for the good in situations, somewhat of a visionary.
I have to admit, I certainly didn’t see even a fraction of the good and the heartbreaks that was going to come out of having MS. Going from when I was 29 years old and had to be fed to when I was 39 years old and couldn’t walk for a year and a half, my outlook going forward wasn’t the best. It kind of messed with me mentally and emotionally as much or more than it has physically. Now at 64 and being able to walk 15 miles with other friends with MS, ride bike over 100 miles at a time with other friends with MS, being part of such a highly motivated and inspirational group of people at the gym is by far, beyond my wildest dreams.
I had no idea God had so much good in His plan for me and everyone that comes to the gym. I had no idea that so many friendships would be built at such close levels. I had no idea that so many loving and caring people would be so willing to come volunteer week after week, year after year. I had no idea how many family members would be so loving and supportive even though their lives have been so altered in a life changing way as a result of their loved one who has to live with MS. I had no idea so many people would support us financially to be able to do what we do for free for people with MS.
Since I got my mobility back at the level I did over the past 25 years since I started to exercise, I thought I had MS somewhat figured out. I had no idea that so many good people with MS would join me working so hard at beating MS and would continue to be challenged at even more challenging levels. This is heartbreaking to me. MS is tough. Even to this day, it’s hard for me to tell what’s MS, what’s stress, lack of quality rest or dehydration, or loss of will related. Sometimes, I feel I’m working so hard yet it continues to get more challenging…is it worth it? I know, I think we all get there.
I’ve had many conversations with people who stopped coming to the gym for one reason or another. Some have moved away and haven’t found an MS community to engage in. They keep exercising and do pretty well but miss our community. Some stopped coming because it just got too hard or had some pain they were dealing with. Some stopped coming because they were doing well and went back to work. Many of these people, I’m happy for because they took something they learned here, engaged in it and took it with them going forward. I really feel for the people who chose to not to come back and wish they would have never stopped. Wherever you are in this journey, I wish you well and hope you make good choices to do what’s best for you.
What keeps me going is the progress we see people making with their MS and quality of life and relationships. Yes, we see MS be MS and continue to be challenging but we also see so many people staying ahead of it. We see many people they never knew before become great lifelong friends. We see people doing active things together that they never thought to be possible again. Since we all have the MS science projects in our bodies, we share what works and what doesn’t. We certainly learn from each other and get to know each other on a true MS level. That’s a pretty intimate level.
I wish we had a cure for MS…I really do. Until we do, let’s keep getting together and learning together. Let’s continue to share our love and personal experiences of what works, what doesn’t, etc. We have a very rare community of people living with MS that are willing to share. Not only willing to share, but very motivated to stay ahead of MS and beat this thing. Let’s do it with love and see what God has planned for us next. I trust He will show us what we need to do next and we’ll be here together ready and willing to carry out His will. So much good has already come from His love being shared with our MS-Just Keep Moving family. Thank you for sharing your love and being such a big part of our family and making this possible! I’m confident I still don’t have a vision of what’s next and I’m excited to see what that is. I trust it’s going to be good.
RAGBRAI 2025
What’s RAGBRAI? https://ragbrai.com/
RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state from July 19-26, 2025. In its 52nd year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world.
This is another example of “I didn’t see this coming in my wildest dreams.” Shelley and Traci will be riding this ride as well as Todd and Diane. Well, we all know how well Shelley walks with her pole. How is she going to able to ride a bike for seven days all the way across Iowa? Well, with a little help from some friends, Shelley will do this. Traci will be riding a tandem with Shelley and Trish will be riding with them as well.
Todd has primary progressive MS at 60 years old. His left leg drags every step he takes. How is Todd going to be able to ride this ride? With the loving support of Diane. Todd will be riding a handcycle all the way across Iowa. Who would have thought this would even be considered when Todd started coming to the gym 12 or 13 years ago? Certainly not me. He’s doing his part to stay ahead of his MS with daily exercise despite his challenges with MS and his mobility.
When I think about both Todd and Shelley being willing to consider such a feat, I think about how they are NOT afraid of their MS. They’ve both done long enough events that they’re confident that these long endurance events will not make their MS worse, in fact, they know it’s what’s keeping them going. It would be really easy for them to say, they wouldn’t be able to do this because they have MS. Instead, MS motivates them to do it and stay ahead of their MS.
Let’s wish Shelley, Traci, Trish, Todd and Diane all the best. They will be leaving on Friday to head for Iowa to ride this ride. I hope they enjoy each moment of the adventure, each other and everyone they meet on the ride. This is truly inspirational from so many perspectives. They will certainly be representing all of us living with MS well.
Day of Endurance Excitement – Saturday, August 23rd 2025
Last Friday we had an exciting presentation on the Day of Endurance journey and what to look forward to on the actual Day of Endurance August 23rd. Thanks Dr Kate for putting this information together. Dr Kate or I will be sending out links to the information we presented soon. We also handed out Day of Endurance T-shirts. If you did not get your T-shirt last Friday, you can get one when you’re at the gym. We highly encourage everyone with MS, their family and friends, our volunteers and supporters to join us.
It’s great to hear training is going well for so many people. I know the new people don’t quite know what to expect but it seemed like everyone that has done it in the past is excited. Please keep in mind that if you do better, do more or do something in addition to what you did last year, you get to bang on the gong. I’m hoping we hear the gong go off all day.
We will be offering two more modes of movement this year. Kayaking and Rebounding. If you want to kayak, please let Chrissy know. We will be kayaking from 6:00am – 8:00am and need to be at the picnic area for the National Anthem and a few words of gratitude and encouragement at 8:45am. The rebounding will be available after we get started with our events at 9:00am.
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.
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, Pam and I walked 15 miles. We finally caught up to Joan who walked 15 miles while on vacation two weeks ago. We continue to add one mile per week. Our bodies are adapting to the distance with the gradual build up each week…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 and one long walk – whatever that distance is for you, per week. Consistency is key.
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 or we can meet up with you a little later if you want to join us for a while. 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 in the day as we can. As of now, it’s taking us about 5 hours to do our long walks.
Nutrition Program
Janine wasn’t here this week. She will be back next Monday, July 21st.
Here are the nutrition links for last week in case you missed them last week:
MS 2025.06.30 Inflammation.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 – Aquatics Exercise Program Opportunity
This week we are spotlighting one of our programs that has been very beneficial to our friends with MS. Our Aquatics Exercise Program that we have every Tuesday afternoon. We would like to see more people benefitting from this program. To benefit from it, you must show up and do it. It’s FUN!
Here’s the info:
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
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed have a conversation with Traci who has been a long term volunteer and member of our MS-Just Keep Moving family.
Here’s the link:
A Chat With Tracy 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:
MS 2025.06.30 Inflammation.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:
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
Please note that there is construction on Hwy SS starting this week. 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’ll 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, 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 this Friday, July 18th, 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 634 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. This week, I saw another variety of events out in nature. This little bird was feeding a younger bird on our bird bath with another bird taking notes. I’ve never seen that before and thought it was interesting.
The cranes and the turkeys weren’t getting along one day this week.
Sometimes the cranes surrender and sometime the turkeys do. This time, the cranes surrendered. Don’t worry, none of them were hurt.
Even though the cranes and turkeys weren’t getting along, the deer and turkey had no problem with each other.
It’s fun to watch them
This was a smiley little guy 😊
I was watching a hawk soar around
He decided to share the top of a powerline pole with another hawk
Our cats sure love each other
Kind of cute
Some of the sunflowers are blooming now
The bees sure love them
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.
