Friends,
It’s Spring!
Pay attention to the Friday bike ride section below. We started riding last week and will continue from now, all summer and into the fall; weather dependent.
We will also be starting our Day of Endurance build up walking next week on Thursday mornings. We will be doing it a little differently this year. We will be starting our walking at 9:00 am and walk short distances to start. It will be a gradual increase of walking time / distance from now until our Day of Endurance on August 29th. If you’d like to walk with us, now is the time to get started as these will be our shortest walks.
Please let me, Joan or Pam know if you would like to join us. We will be starting a separate communication chain once we know who is all interested.
Stephanie Wahlen’s presentation
We were fortunate to have Stephanie Wahlen was here last Friday. She drew on her expertise as an occupational therapist to showcase different techniques and tools for bed, car, tub, shower, and bed transfers. Our group had some great questions for Stephanie to help them troubleshoot their unique transfer situations and needs. Thank you, Stephanie!
Here are some links to Stephanie’s presentation:
Just Keep Moving presentation 4.15.26.docx – Google Docs
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gOakkLS8IYlrKvtICFcElNUHkmb-kuUY/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116069757124832431910&rtpof=true&sd=true
Nyani’s guest Somananda Yogi
Friday evening’s event with Somananda Yogi was extremely interesting. He covered many topics of how people are treated in many different countries. I’m one of those people that doesn’t travel much outside of Wisconsin. To me, it was very enlightening listening to different modalities and ways to help people.
I was really impressed with how smart Somananda was and how intelligently he answered each question. He was so calm and patient. When we asked him a question, he would calmly pause for a moment and then answer it with a profoundly thought-out answer that made total sense the way he explained it. He certainly knows the human body extremely well and is able to communicate the why behind his answers very well.
We were blessed to be able to have him join us. Thank you, Nyani for making this possible! Going forward, Nyani has a direct connection to Somananda. He has taught her a lot and if you have any follow up questions or comments, please bring them to Nyani.
Christina and her capstone – Join us Friday!
It seems that everyone who is engaging in Christina’s programs are enjoying them and benefiting from them. We are going to have an opportunity to see some of the projects, hear Christina’s overall presentation and talk with some of the people who engaged in them this Friday.
We will also have an opportunity to witness and support Christina when she presents her summary to Concordia College. Let’s thank Christina and Concordia College for choosing to do her capstone project here with us.
Golf Outing – Friday, June 26th
Here’s a link to more information:
ePH Cares | Involvement In Our Community | ePlatinumHealth
Our annual golf outing put on by our friends at ePlatinum Health is coming up very quickly. This event fills up for golfers very quickly. I know the past couple years, some people were disappointed they didn’t get to golf in it because it was already full. This year, we only have 30 spots left so if you want to golf in it, I would encourage you to get signed up promptly.
We will need to gather some nice raffle and silent auction items for the is event to give our golfing friends a great experience and to raise more money for our mission. If you are willing and able to donate something for the golf outing raffle or silent auction, please let us know. We are hoping for event tickets, experience opportunities, items for baskets, memorabilia, etc.
We are still looking for some sponsors who would get some great visibility and help our mission. If you know someone that would be willing to be a sponsor, please let us know that as well. Here’s a link for sponsorship. https://eplatinumhealth.com/ms-golf-outing/ We are THANKFUL for our sponsors.
Let’s get together – Open Gym plus programs!
We’ll be getting together from 7:00am – noon on Monday through Friday mornings at the gym. Plus, Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4:30pm – 6:30pm 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
Email Dr Kate Kern at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Exercise class schedule (to start 3/16/25). Feedback welcome to make this as best as it can be!
Nutrition Program
This week, Janine and friends at the Nutrition program talked about Legumes and the value of them.
If you are not engaging in our nutrition program, I would highly encourage you to at least read the handouts that Janine prepares for us each week and apply the information into your lifestyle.
Here’s a link to the full handout:
Nutrition: MS 2026.04.20 Legumes.pdf – Google Drive
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!
Let’s Develop a Cookbook
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, May 1st, 2026. 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!
Member Spotlight – Caregivers Support Group
When we live with MS, our entire family lives with MS. MS is not easy to live with and is certainly hard to understand for someone who loves and cares for someone with MS. We are here to share and hopefully help caregivers in some way. We have some amazing people in our Caregivers Support Group who love unconditionally.
Ed and Adam’s Podcast
Adam and Ed did not create a podcast last week. Here’s link to last week’s podcast.
Here’s the link:
Talking With Friends by Positive Vibes Living with MS
Thanks Adam, Ed and Ava for doing these podcasts together!
Educational Sessions
This Friday, April 24th 11:00 – 12:00pm: Christina, doctoral OT student at Concordia University, and the participants of her leisure activity group will showcase what they’ve been up to the last 7 weeks. We’ll get to see what painting, making, creating and laughing together can do for us living with MS.
Friday, May 22nd 11:00am – 12:00pm: Dr. Obeidat, MD, PhD, at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, will share with us what being creative can do for brain physiology. Great follow up to Christina’s talk!
Wednesday, July 1st 9:00-10:00am: Joy Cochran, DPT, will review her demo of “how to fall” safely and effectively. We all fall, so let’s practice how to do it well!
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.
Day of Endurance Training
Event is Saturday, August 29,2026 – Training is now
What: Do what you can
- Consistent Daily Exercise
- One long day per week – increase each week – no more than 10% per week
- Buddy up and exercise together
- Enjoy the journey 😊
Friday Morning Bike Rides
Our rides started last week and we had a great ride together. It was a little chilly starting and then it warmed up to be really nice out.
Looking at the weather for this Friday, it looks like it will be warm but there’s a good chance of rain. If it’s raining, we will not be riding. Watch the weather and we will try to communicate through e-mail and Facebook.
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.
Arts for MS Program – Let’s engage!
Quite a few of us enjoyed the art program last week. This coming Monday, 4-27 is the next opportunity for this. I would highly encourage you to join us if you are able to.
If you want to see some amazing art, go to Nadia’s art gallery.
The next class in our series will be held at:
Nadiana Art Gallery 4818 S 76th St ste 6, Greenfield, WI 53220 on April 27.
Classes will take place beginning at 6:30 and end at 8:00 to allow more time for art making.
These classes are always free for all participants and we encourage you to bring along friends and family members to enjoy the class. Due to the nature of the classes please let us know you are coming using THIS LINK* this way we can ensure there will be enough supplies for everyone.
*If you already RSVP’d for the art classes you do not need to do so a second time, you’re all set.*
Please feel free to share the info flyer far and wide and I look forward to making art with you in April.
Sincerely,
Jessica Fastabend
Community Education Director
414.277.8480 x6005
325 W Walnut St. Milwaukee WI 53212
If anyone wants to carpool for these events from the gym, please let me know. Let’s do our best to make it easy for as many people as possible to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities for us, our family members, and friends.
Shoe Donations
We already filled four boxes and quite a few bags. 😊 Thanks to everyone who is donating their shoes!
Do you have any shoes you can donate? Becky Thomas is collecting old or new shoes supporting Soles for Jesus. These shoes will be distributed to people in need of shoes in Africa. She dropped off a box for us to drop them in. Please bring in shoes if you have any extras.
Coughs, colds, flus, etc. – Let’s not share
There are a lot of bugs going around. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home and recover from them instead of sharing with the rest of us at the gym. We look forward to you getting over it and having you back quickly.
Special Educational Event for us – Save the date and reserve your seats
Dr Khatri is inviting all of us to his educational event about living with MS again this year. I would highly encourage you to save the date and join us at this event.
Dockhounds Game to benefit our MS-Just Keep Moving Mission – Save the date and get tickets
Research Needs us!
Marquette University, UW Milwaukee, University of Illinois, and Carroll University have research opportunities they would like us to engage in. We have flyers and more information about these opportunities at the gym. Please engage in these opportunities if you qualify. You could make improvements yourself and you could be helping so many other people with MS as they face their challenges. We really need to get this MS thing figured out and you can help by engaging in these research opportunities.
Here’s a research opportunity that Marquette University is doing for all of living with MS. I would highly encourage you to engage in this if you qualify.
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 685 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!
Metals for MS
Thank you to all who brought in aluminum cans, gutters, copper, brass, etc. Please keep bringing them in…you are helping us. Our total is $1,926.63 for the first year. That’s really good! We’re getting ready to take another load in.
Parking
If you are able-bodied and willing to park across the street in the Acuity Foam 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
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 Fridays
Reiki is available at the gym, for FREE on Fridays with Linda C, 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 many ways!
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
Our Website: http://msjustkeepmoving.org/
P.S. I was able to get out in nature with my camera a few times this week. I saw something in a tree and was wondering what it was. It looked like a big blob that didn’t belong there. As I got closer, I realized it was a young bald eagle sunning itself. It blended right in.
We had a turkey going after our squirrel corn on our clothesline. Goofy turkey.
I had some nice early morning lighting on this turkey
They sure enjoy our backyard and each other
The Sandhill Cranes sure love our backyard and each other as well
I had some fun at Nashotah Park again this week. I went there at sunrise and saw quite a few deer.
They were active
They seemed to be everywhere
When I got down by the lake, I found some wood ducks that were just waking up
The geese were active, noisy, and fun to watch too
These two are in love
Just as I was leaving this Bluebird found some breakfast
For those who cannot get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I am 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.
